THE Sanmerna Foundation, under the leadership of directors Robert and Mark White, has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries to the top-performing students in the 2025 PEP examination at Balmagie Primary School.

Located in the underserved community of Waterhouse, Balmagie Primary continues to rise above challenges and produce outstanding academic performers.

This year, six students emerged at the top of their class, securing places at some of Jamaica’s most prestigious traditional high schools, including Immaculate Conception High, St Andrew High School for Girls, Kingston College, Wolmer’s Girls’ School, and St Hugh’s High School.

Each student has been awarded a full scholarship or bursary that will support them throughout their entire high school journey, provided they maintain a B+ average or higher — a condition emphasised by Robert White, who also serves as chairman of the Balmagie Primary School Board.

Sanmerna Foundation Project Manager Paige Dixon said it has been providing scholarships to students of Balmagie Primary since 2017, “and many of our recipients have gone on to do incredible things”.

Dixon singled out Orville Daley, a former Balmagie student from Waterhouse who was supported by the foundation and is now an intern at Microsoft, while also volunteering in robotics programs at Hillel Academy and AISK.

She said another recipient, Romain Daley, was recently accepted into Yale University with the foundation’s backing.

“The truth is, the scholarship is just the beginning for these children,” Dixon said. “They are the cream of the crop, and we believe in nurturing excellence early.”

This year’s top achievers at Balmagie Primary include:

• Shakeilia Cunningham and Chelsea Robinson, both tying for first place with an outstanding overall score of 370

• Faith Williams – 366

• Karessa Marshall – 362.2

• Okito Clarke – 360

Additional commendations were given to students who excelled in specific subject areas:

• Krisan Campbell stood out in Mathematics with a score of 347

• Shakeilia Cunningham and Faith Williams tied for top performance in Science

• Okito Clarke and Chelsea Robinson excelled in the Ability Test

• Faith also topped Social Studies, while Shakeilia led in Language Arts.

Many parents and guardians who attended the presentation last week were moved by the support offered to their children.

Britania Williams, sister of scholarship recipient Faith Williams, expressed gratitude.

“I was also a top student when I was at Balmagie, but I didn’t receive this kind of help. I’m so thankful that my sister lives in a time where organisations like the Sanmerna Foundation exist to ease the back-to-school pressure,” said Britania Williams.

In the meantime, Paige said, “The Sanmerna Foundation continues to stand as a beacon of hope and empowerment, proving that with the right support, even children from the most underserved communities can reach the highest heights.”