KINGSTON, Jamaica — For Gayon Stewart and Renae McEachron, the scholarship and grant from First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited (FHC) and its foundation were right on time.

The two ladies — Stewart, pursuing a primary teacher education degree from St Joseph Teachers’ College, and McEachron with her agro-business Breezy Castle Farm — were beneficiaries of the 2025 cycle of support by the credit union.

The FHC Credit Union 2025 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel under the theme, “Play to Win: Strength in Strategy, Power in Performance”.

Stewart received the Renald Mason Scholarship for achieving a 3.7 grade-point average while doing her degree specialising in science and mathematics. The career educator spent eight years as a kindergarten teacher but wanted to pursue a degree at another level of the profession. As she entered the third of five years of studies, the scholarship came at the opportune time.

“I have been doing part-time studies while working to get the funds for school. I was employed up to this August, but the contract was not renewed. This scholarship is so good for me. It gives me an opportunity to not worry about my financial stability. It gives me a break to focus on my studies,” Stewart said.

The mother of three adults shared that the passions of her youth were delayed to guide her family.

Director of FHC Credit Union and Board Secretary FHC Foundation Nickiesha Walsh (left) presented the Renald Mason Scholarship to Gayon Stewart at the awards ceremony. Stewart is pursuing a primary teacher education degree from St. Joseph Teachers’ College specialising in science and mathematics.

“Teaching has been a passion for me [from] ever since. But back in those days when I had the children, it wasn’t possible. So, now that they’re older and can manage on their own, I decided to pursue my dream,” she said. She also serves her community through Saturday classes and church-based service.

McEachron, one of three winners of the entrepreneurship grant, will utilise the $500,000 to modernise her enterprise, St Mary-based Breezy Castle Farm. She farms plantains, bananas, pineapples, hot peppers, callaloo, sweet potatoes, watermelons and cash crops on 15 acres in Gibraltar Heights, just above the seaport town of Annotto Bay.

“During this time of year, we normally pause planting due to the drought, but now, with the help of this grant, we are going for irrigation, so we can plant all year round,” McEachron said.

For almost 10 years, she revelled in self-employment, but she was forced to return to work as a security officer due to her first farm being preyed on by thieves.

“I had to stop farming; from 2010 to 2019, I didn’t work for anybody. But the praedial larceny meant that I had [to] just be doing a little home gardening and balancing work. Now I’m at a different, more secure location where I can spread out my wings again. We are getting back into animal [rearing], especially goats,” shared the employer of five.

Along with plants and ruminants, McEachron said she wants to expand the farm’s capacity to store goods during times of glut.

A total of $1.5 million was shared among three entrepreneurs: Sadekie Harriott of The Party Vault; Shane Miller, owner of Stevos Weavos; and McEachron.

In the tertiary categories, $1.7 million was shared for the Renald Mason, Oswald Thorbourne, and sports education scholarships. The Renald Mason awards were accepted by Stewart and Tajhaun Bennett of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, while bursaries were awarded to Julian Clarke of Northern Caribbean University and Ronaldo Hitchman of Caribbean Maritime University.

UWI banking and finance student Tonique Orgill received the Oswald Thorbourne scholarship. From GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, Venecia Vaz was named a scholar, while Lavana Shorter and Simoy Douglas received grants.

Ten children entering high school received over $600,000 in academic awards and grants for their 2025 Primary Exit Profile performances.

Receiving five-year scholarships are Kai’den Evering, Alake-Kia Burrell, Kayrah Fullerton, Zamaryah Hines, and De-vonee Greenfield. One-time bursaries were given to Rajauni Horne, Isabelle Thomas, Keira Forbes, Taejha Goulbourne, and Garrecia Nelson.