Sage financial advice was given on Wednesday, November 20, the fourth day of the Jamaica Observer Applaud It! series at the New Kingston offices of Barita Investments Limited, a member of the Cornerstone Group.

Eight students from Charlie Smith High School and their teachers convened in the Cornerstone boardroom for a lesson in fine dining etiquette and social graces through a four-course meal created by Chef Jacqui Tyson.

Barita Investments Vice-President for Premium Wealth & Corporate Solutions Sancia Thompson welcomed the group, with the promise of the session being a rewarding experience. Thompson was particularly excited to support the students as they were members of the Prosperity before Pregnancy Impact Group.

“We are going to share with them some of the things that we know about the business world and especially in light of the impact club that they have prosperity before pregnancy, there are a lot of things that we can share with them as well,” Thompson said.

Barita Investments Deputy Chairman and Cornerstone Group Founder Paul Simpson expressed his delight to learn from the young ladies in attendance while encouraging them to use the moment to engage and network.

“I am excited to learn alongside you. I have two sisters, and I am the only son in my family. So, I am used to having smart young ladies around me. I am looking forward to learning a lot from you,” Simpson said. “If there is any question you want to ask, feel free. Be open. Be as straightforward as you can,” Simpson said.

Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor, Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte expressed confidence that the ladies will be more well-rounded because of the lessons learned from the session.

Chef Tyson then introduced the menu, appropriately categorised by key financial terms. The first course, named the “Equity Bowl”, was a roasted pumpkin soup with coconut creme finished with a crispy fish baton.

McDonald-Whyte demonstrated the proper technique to eat the soup as well as how to “break, butter and eat” the bread rolls that were served. Simpson recalled how his appearance years ago on Jamaica Observer’s Page 2
led to an increase in clients, the lesson being that opportunities can arise out of unexpected moments.

“It is important to stress that you never know who is going to be around the table with you and what opportunities those can bring to your future self,” Simpson said.

Barita Investments Senior Vice- President, Investment Banking Terise Kettle educated the young ladies on key financial terms such as “market gain”’; which was the name given for the second course: a salad of fresh fruits and local vegetables on a bed of lettuce.

The students’ knowledge increased as they learnt about “net worth”, the name for their palate cleanser: a chilled mango sorbet. Charlie Smith High Vice- Principal Latoya Smith then went in depth about how the group was conceptualised.

“I was sitting with some of the young ladies during a luncheon on October 11 for International Girls’ Day. And just through conversation, I decided that I wanted to see these young ladies through secondary school and see what happens after that. So, I said, ladies, think of a name for this group going forward,” Smith said. The girls bounced around ideas until Prosperity Before Pregnancy was created, something which Smith is eager to see how more sociable the students can be in different environments. ”So, we are running with that, to empower them, get them to understand that there is more to life than the circle that they are in,” Smith added.

The students were more vocal during the main course: Fettuccine noodles, tossed in a light pesto alfredo, topped with grilled chicken breast called “capital gains”. The young ladies expressed what they learned from the session, with some noting that it was the first time that they had been exposed to such a formal dining setting.

The meal concluded with a delicious rich chocolate cake, layered with chocolate frosting and ganache, dusted with edible gold flakes named “Golden Assets”. There would be a special surprise for the students after dessert as Simpson announced the awarding of 10 scholarships to the school. The announcement was met with thunderous applause and Jason Chambers, chief investment officer of the Cornerstone Group, addressed the students, emphasising that the scholarships represent Cornerstone’s commitment to nurturing Jamaica’s future leaders.

“We are very passionate about transforming Jamaica and transforming lives in Jamaica and it really starts with the quality of the education system in an inclusive way,” Chambers said. “We look forward to continuing to partner with Charlie Smith, the Ministry of Education and other schools in Jamaica to advance the future of our country.”

Charlie Smith High grade 11 student Erica Davey thanked Chambers and Simpson for the investment and the eye-opening Applaud It! experience.

“On behalf of Charlie Smith High School, I just want to say a big thank you for the scholarships that you have given us. To the Barita Foundation, I just want to say thank you for having us. I learnt a lot and it was a great experience, and I hope that you will have us back,” Davey said.

It was an impactful and rewarding afternoon for the young ladies, especially Charlie Smith High grade 11 student Takila Turner who increased her knowledge about the company and learned new dining skills.

“It was a fun event. I learnt about the Barita Foundation and how to eat with a knife and fork because I used to eat with a spoon most of the time,” Turner said.

Applaud It! concludes today at Sagicor.