THIRTY-FOUR of Jamaica’s top-performing students have received a total of more than $14 million in academic support through the 26th annual Burger King National Scholarship Programme.

The scholarships — granted by Restaurant Associates Limited, franchise holders of Burger King in Jamaica — provides funding to students who sat the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam this year and are entering secondary schools, as well as students heading into accredited local universities.

Beyond standard academic excellence, the initiative also champions holistic development, awarding student-athletes and creative minds pursuing the arts.

The categories include secondary school book grants, sports bursaries, tertiary scholarships and bursaries, and the Lois Lake Sherwood tertiary scholarship and bursary that covers the expenses of a student pursuing the arts.

Delivering greetings at the awards ceremony held at the AC Hotel Kingston on Tuesday, minister of state in the Ministry of Education Rhoda Moy Crawford highlighted that since 2001, Burger King has invested some $120 million in scholarships which have benefited more than 400 Jamaican youth.

She argued that this demonstrated the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility and its focus on empowering young Jamaicans through education.

“This is a legacy of opportunity and compassion. By now, we should all realise that this is not ordinary sponsorship. This is care, this is belief, and this is foresight. And all of us here and those right across Jamaica — those who could have benefited and those yet to benefit — we all owe deep appreciation to the Burger King family and Restaurant Associates family,” said Crawford.

Shifting her attention to the awardees, Crawford commended their hard work and academic dedication. She noted that out of more than 3,000 applicants, only 34 were selected, proving that their success was no accident but rather the direct result of their labour.

Group Chairman of Restaurants Associates Limited Richard Lake (left), shares lens time with Burger King scholarship recipient Javan Gentles (centre), and Kaysia Johnson Vaughn chief customer and brand officer at the Victoria Mutual Group at the 26th Burger King National Scholarship Programme Awards Ceremony on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“You are the special 34. This privilege reflects your hard work and an earned opportunity in a very competitive field. Please know that this moment is more than a certificate or a stipend, it is a confirmation that your future matters. You have earned your place in a competitive field. Do not misuse or take this opportunity for granted. Instead, take this opportunity seriously. Stay curious, work hard, and remain grounded,” added Crawford.

As she highlighted the ceremony’s theme ‘Blazing a trail to success’, Crawford encouraged the scholars to continue on their path of excellence and to rise again when faced with challenges.

“To blaze a trail is to create a path where there may have been none before. It means pursuing your goals, even when the road is unclear. It means being brave enough to explore your abilities, to challenge yourself, and sometimes to go further than where anyone else in your family has gone before. Use this opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence to make the most of your journey.

“When your career becomes difficult, an exam may not go as planned, a course may challenge you more than expected, or you may face rejection; any difficult moments, do not accept them as failure. Ask for help, learn from the experience, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward,” said Crawford.

Keynote speaker Kaysia Johnson Vaughn, chief customer and brand officer at the Victoria Mutual Group, also had words of advice for the awardees.

Johnson Vaughn urged the students to have belief in themselves, learn holistically across both academics and skills, and to aim higher than expected. She encouraged them to “zag” and realign when life unexpectedly “zigs” on to uncharted routes.

“So you’re all here today. You worked very hard. You put in the effort, and now you’re seeing the results of your effort. You have been chosen to get a bursary or a scholarship to pursue, whether it’s high school or tertiary, or just about to achieve whatever dream that you want. I want you to recognise that this is a big deal,” said Johnson Vaughn.