ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – The St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) graduating class of 1983 will be awarding scholarships worth $150,000 each to three students who are struggling to cover the costs of education as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.

A news release from the ‘Class of 83’ that circulated said the Next Generation Scholarship Fund Award Ceremony on Friday, June 30 at the STETHS campus in Santa Cruz will be the highlight of the anniversary and reunion activities.

The release said “scholarships will be awarded to three students who are financially burdened to meet expenses of secondary education and are performing below the 60 percentile. Some of these students are attending school only 3 days (each) week due to lack of bus fare and lunch money. Their poor attendance has affected their learning capability. These funds will afford them an opportunity to attend school more regularly, pay for lunch, not having to worry about their finances, and ultimately improving their grades”.

The release added that the Class of ‘83 is “committed to a five-year scholarship programme to include students from Grades 8 – 10…”

Support is being sought from “the STETHS Alumni, friends of STETHS, large and small businesses who want to make an impact in the lives of the next generation.”

Contributions can be made via www.STETHSchat.com if payments are being made by credit card in US dollars, or contact can be made with Carlene Gayle-Smith at STETHS for other payment options, organisers said.

Other activities for the class reunion will include a picnic/fun day, church services and a banquet in the school’s auditorium on the night of July 1.

Established in 1961, STETHS celebrated its 60th anniversary in the 2021/22 academic year. This year’s celebrations will run from June 30 to July 2.