KINGSTON, Jamaica — Twelve-year-old Xia Williams, a first-form student at Titchfield High School in Portland, beamed with pride as she accepted her scholarship award.

For her, it was a testament to the hard work she had put in. She was one of 37 students honoured as JN Primary Exit Profile (PEP) scholars by the JN Foundation at a ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Sunday, October 6.

Each student was recognised for their outstanding achievements.

Reflecting on the moment, she said, “I was so excited,” her joy and pride shining through as she received the prestigious award alongside her fellow high achievers.

Leesa Kow (left), managing director of JN Bank greets Xia Williams (right), JN PEP scholar at the awards ceremony held on Sunday, October 6 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Looking on is Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation.

Meanwhile, Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony, urged the students to make a mark during their high school years.

“Excellence is within your reach and remember excellence is a habit, that you feed [so it] grows. Feed that habit of excellence, feed your discipline, feed the culture of hard work and appreciation and not entitlement and understand that you can blossom where you are planted,” she said.

Dr Troupe, who is also a former JN Scholar, told the students that she didn’t go to a preparatory school or traditional high school, but she worked hard and is a testament that anyone can excel if they put their mind to it.

“I am testifying today of the ordinariness who turned out to be extraordinary. Do not let anyone blow out your candle. Light your candle, light that spark bigger and brighter and go light the world,” she stated.

Held under the theme ‘Nourish your spark’, Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, urged the recipients to also feed their curiosity.

“You are scholars; therefore, you never stop learning, as the more you expose yourself to new ideas, people, and experiences, the brighter your spark will burn. Read, ask questions, and seek out what excites and challenges you,” he charged.

Lyew-Ayee informed that the Jamaica National Group’s commitment to education has gone beyond monetary assistance.

“Remember, this scholarship is not just a reward for your past achievements but an investment in your future endeavours. We have great faith in your potential and look forward to witnessing the remarkable contributions you will make to society,” he said.

A total of 47 scholarships were awarded by the JN Foundation.

Of the amount, 37 were five-year awards: 14 parish scholarships; three JN Bank Easi-Save County scholarships; and 20 to children of JN Group staff members who received the Building Excellence and Achieving More Success (BEAMS) scholarships. The remaining 10 awards were one-time grants presented by JN Money Services Limited to high-performing students who did not receive full scholarships.

Last year, the scholarship programme celebrated 40 years since its establishment.

Over the years, the Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational and youth development initiatives, such as the Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee competition, child-month initiatives undertaken by the National Child Month Committee, and the Ministry of Education and Youth’s National Youth Month activities.

The JN Foundation has also invested millions in educational transformation initiatives, such as the Centres of Excellence and iLead programs, both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.

Since 2001, the JN Group has maintained a financial literacy program, the JN School Savers Programme, at the basic, primary, and secondary levels to foster sound money management practices among children and, since 2013, launched the JN Wise Aspiring Youth Programme, JN WAY, which promotes financial literacy and personal development skills for tertiary students and young adults.