BEFORE Dejhaunae Henry could focus on her dream of studying cybersecurity, the Manchester High School graduate had to confront a more immediate concern — how to pay for university.

That uncertainty eased when she was named among the student beneficiaries of WATA’s Hydrate to Educate initiative.

Henry, who will pursue cybersecurity at the Caribbean Maritime University, was among 15 student awardees recognised at the Corporate Area ceremony, which presented educational grants to recipients from central and eastern Jamaica.

Overall, Hydrate to Educate will support 31 students and 14 schools this year, with a second ceremony to be held in Montego Bay, St James, to present the western Jamaica awardees.

“This scholarship is a big deal to me because when I was applying to university I didn’t know what the next step would be or where the money would come from,” Henry said. “When my mother got the call, I was surprised. This is a jump-start for me.”

For Henry, the award comes at a defining moment. She said her interest in cybersecurity grew from a love of science and technology, and from a desire to pursue a field that challenges her.

The Corporate Area ceremony also highlighted support for school recovery. Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth received a $1-million grant to assist its rebuilding and development needs, while Haile Selassie High School, St Jude’s Primary School, Winston Jones High School, Clarendon College, Boundbrook Infant School, Eltham Park Primary School, and Duckenfield Primary School received $200,000 school grants.

Speaking at the ceremony, Francois Chalifour, director marketing and information technology at the Wisynco Group, said the initiative reflects WATA’s commitment to advancing the welfare of Jamaican communities.

Jusanna Staple (right), brand coordinator, WATA portfolio, Wisynco Group, shares a moment with Hydrate to Educate awardee Dejhaunae Henry of Manchester High School and her mother Naneesh McKenzie (left), during the WATA Hydrate to Educate Awards Ceremony in the Corporate Area last Wednesday.

“This programme, Hydrate to Educate, is one of the ways that we give back to Jamaicans,” Chalifour said.

“People can always learn more, and education is one of the areas where support can make a real difference,” added Chalifour.

He noted that the initiative, now in its fourth year, continues to attract increased interest from students and schools across the island.

“We are very appreciative that this programme has lasted four years and is doing very well. Every year, we get more and more applications. This year, we were able to direct additional focus to western Jamaica, where the need is far greater in this period,” said Chalifour.

Jusanna Staple, brand coordinator, WATA Portfolio, Wisynco Group, said Hydrate to Educate remains one of its most important community initiatives because of its direct impact on students, families, and schools.

“Hydrate to Educate is about helping students stay focused on their goals and helping schools create better spaces for learning,” Staple said.

“For WATA, this is a way for us to stand with young people, support their education, and remind them that their dreams are worth investing in,” added Staple.