SAVANNA LA MAR, Westmoreland — Twenty-one students will benefit from the $1-million Shades of Blue Scholarship fund launched to mark Manning’s School’s Class of 2004’s 20th anniversary.

Recipients were chosen from across the school, from first form to upper sixth. Selections were based on a wide range of criteria including academic excellence, community service, involvement in extra-curricular activities and/or athletics, level of financial need, and available family support.

The Class of 2004 did not stop at scholarships as its contributions also touched on school beautification, with $600,000 allotted to install seats on the Legacy Walkway, beautifying the entrance of the school compound. Member of the Class of 2004 have also provided invaluable support in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

When the storm pushed back their original timelines the group made a last-minute decision to create a Hurricane Beryl Relief Fund to help repair damaged classrooms. According to school administrators, the hurricane damaged its perimeter fence, and almost every roof on the compound suffered damage. In some cases it was minor but some buildings lost their roofs entirely.

The Class of 2004 is one of the youngest cohorts to commemorate their reunion and give back to the school in such a substantial way.

“We celebrated our past but we laid the groundwork for future engagement and support for Manning’s School,” said co-chair of the Class of 2004 Reunion Planning Committee Vanessa Myrie.

“We are proud of the impact we’ve made through our reunion-giving efforts. We hope that some of the younger cohorts are watching what we have done and will be inspired to give back to Manning’s as well,” she expressed.

The Class of 2004 is made up of approximately 285 members, 22 per cent of whom contributed to the reunion efforts. The reunion committee raised more than $2 million within 10 months. Outside of scholarships and donations to the school, proceeds were also used for reunion activities.

Myrie is urging all alumni to step up and assist in any way they can to ensure that their alma mater is ready for the new term which begins in September. She suggested one way in which they can help.

“Manning’s School has faced significant challenges due to the absence of a security and surveillance system, as well as an intercom system,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “The lack of these technological devices makes it difficult to efficiently respond to breaches, theft, or mobilise the campus in the event of any emergency.”

She is hoping graduates will help find a solution.

As for the Shades of Blue Scholarship, Myrie indicated that the Class of 2004 has decided to make it an annual event. While conceding that they may not be able to guarantee a group of 21 beneficiaries each year, she said they have committed to helping at least 13.

She also took time to express their gratitude to the school’s guidance counsellor Ikula Pearce who she said played a crucial role in the development of the Shades of Blue Legacy Scholarship Programme.

“He provided valuable input during the creation of the application process, assisted with distributing flyers, and actively promoted the scholarship to students and their parents. Additionally, Mr Pearce tested the application and helped make the necessary adjustments,” Myrie added.