ALMOST three years ago, a nervous Deidre-Ann Osbourne sat before a panel of professionals charged with selecting the first-ever recipients of the Gordon “Butch” Stewart (GBS) Tourism, Hospitality and Service Scholarship for team members of Sandals Resorts and its sister companies.

Osbourne, the engineering coordinator at the resort company’s corporate office, had already started her first year of university, unsure about how she would finance her education. She needed this scholarship.

As she introduced herself to the panel, Osbourne thought of the lifeline the scholarship would provide for her to tackle university without having to worry about funding.

Recently she completed her studies for a bachelor’s degree in human resource management at The University of the West Indies, Western Jamaica Campus, finishing with an impressive 3.95 GPA and earning first-class honours, becoming this year’s recipient of the Most Outstanding Performance in Human Resource Management Award when she graduated in November.

Added to that, Osbourne was the valedictory nominee for her graduating class and a nominee for the Jamaica Employers Federation Prize, an award given to a final-year student who has excelled in a field related to human resources, labour, or entrepreneurship.

“Being nominated by my faculty for valedictorian was unexpected but deeply satisfying. Receiving recognition for outstanding academic performance was definitely a memorable achievement,” she shared with pride as she recalled the arduous journey of balancing work and school.

Her work and university schedules were often tight, leaving no time to linger at the end of the work day. She would dash from the office, hop into a taxi to get to evening classes, which were thankfully just a few minutes away. Occasionally, she had afternoon classes that conflicted with her work schedule, but she praised the unwavering support of her head of department for allowing her the time to attend.

“Balancing work and school was challenging yet rewarding. Having practical experience on the job made it easier to connect with the theoretical aspects of my studies. The knowledge I gained from this degree has allowed me to bridge industry standards with academic principles, empowering me to make more informed decisions and perform my duties with greater efficiency,” she said.

A tertiary-level education had been a childhood dream for Osbourne, but because of financial difficulties she waited 15 years after graduating from high school to see that dream realised.

Today, she isn’t just the first team member to earn a bachelor’s degree through the GBS Scholarship; she’s also opened the door for a new milestone within her very proud family.

“As a first-generation university graduate I fulfilled my personal dream of earning a degree and became a role model for my son, niece, and nephew. I wanted to show them that anything is possible when you set your mind to it and take advantage of every opportunity. The journey may not always be smooth, but the goal remains the same,” a beaming Osbourne said.

Having completed her university studies, Osbourne said she has become more rounded and has a stronger foundation for professional development. With her newly earned qualification she is now better positioned to seize new opportunities and contribute more meaningfully to the company’s growth when those opportunities arise.

Osbourne’s journey has captured the attention of Sandals Resorts International’s Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, who hopes her story will inspire other team members.

“I want my team to grow, evolve, and reach their full potential. The Sandals Corporate University empowers team members to uncover and develop their unique gifts and passions. It’s a golden ticket to becoming exactly who they aspire to be. All they need to do is seize the opportunity, just as Deidre-Ann did. That’s the message we share with our team members,” said Stewart.