Captain Johnson’s journey from scholarship dream to distinguished service
CAPTAIN Acqueme Johnson, a decorated officer in the Jamaica Defence Force’s Engineer Regiment, is living proof that a helping hand can change a life’s trajectory. Specialising in heavy construction and structural engineering, Captain Johnson proudly followed in the footsteps of his godfather, a mechanical engineer, to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled professionals.
But just over a decade ago, in 2014, Johnson was a young man from rural Jamaica on a noble mission to become an engineer but no clear path to fund it.
“Being a young man from the country who was not born into wealth, university was an expensive dream,” Johnson recalled.
The York Castle High and St Mary High alumnus was a strong student and active in school life, but financial uncertainty loomed over his future. That changed when then financial advisor Kerry-Ann Chong encouraged him to apply for the Scotia Insurance Education Scholarship, after she assisted his parents in opening a ScotiaMint account to secure his future.
“This scholarship really gave me the start to pursue my dream of becoming an engineer. It provided me with assistance to complete my first year of studies, which set the foundation on which I was subsequently able to complete the remainder of my tenure through other scholarships, family and summer work. The scholarship essentially financed the foundation of my professional development,” Johnson said.
The Scotia Insurance Education Scholarship supports 28 students each year (one from each Scotiabank branch) at the secondary and tertiary levels, with each recipient receiving $150,000. Applicants must hold either a ScotiaMINT or ScotiaELEVATE product for at least 12 months and maintain consecutive monthly pre-authorized payments for the same period.
Debra Lopez-Spence, vice-president for Scotia Insurance, says the scholarship is part of the institution’s wider commitment to enriching the lives of its clients.
“This programme is one more way we add value to our clients’ lives,” Lopez-Spence said. “It not only provides access to education but also encourages holistic financial planning.”
The 2025 scholarship recipients will be announced ahead of the new school year on September 1.
