KINGSTON, Jamaica — For 14-year-old Shani Williams, receiving an $80,000 scholarship from CB Chicken brought relief and a big smile.

The Holy Childhood High School student is being supported for the second consecutive year through the Eminent Works Back-to-School initiative — recognition of the hard work she continues to put into her education.

Williams was among six students supported by CB Chicken at the 12th annual Eminent Works Back-to-School Treat in Tivoli Gardens. Recipients were selected through an application process that included a review of academic performance.

“I am very excited, and this feels like a weight lifted off my parents,” Williams said. “This scholarship means so much to me and justifies the hard work that I have been putting in. I am happy that a company like CB Chicken took the time to support me and the other children here today.”

The Holy Childhood second-former was one of 14 secondary and tertiary students awarded scholarships this year. CB Chicken funded six of the awards.

Now in its 12th year, the annual treat supports students across Tivoli Gardens, from basic school through to university. It provides school bags, supplies and other resources to prepare them for the new academic year.

The event also brought families together for medical checks, face painting, bounce-a-bout, games and food. CB Chicken and Bad Dawg sausages were served throughout the day.

Carla Hollingsworth, one of the organisers of the Back-to-school treat in Tivoli Gardens, greets Samantha Fisher, Assistant Brand Manager – CB Foods.

Education remains a major focus of Eminent Works’ outreach. After awarding $2 million in scholarships last year, the organisation set a goal to double that to $4 million this year.

For Samantha Fisher, Assistant Brand Manager at CB Foods, the scholarships were a way to make direct impact.

“We wanted our support to make a direct and meaningful impact on the students,” Fisher said. “These young people are already putting in the work towards the futures they want for themselves. Our role is to stand behind that effort, encourage them to keep going and remind them that their potential is worth investing in.”

For 18-year-old Akeem Brown, that encouragement comes as he prepares for sixth form at St Andrew Technical High School. The returning Eminent Works recipient received a $90,000 scholarship from CB Chicken. He aspires to study medicine at The University of the West Indies.

“Wow, I am just excited, thankful and grateful for this. Thank you, CB, for this opportunity,” Brown said.

CB Chicken’s other recipients were: Shamar Morrison, sixth form, Wolmer’s Boys’ School — $90,000; Wayne Smith, second form, Campion College — $80,000; Kaysianna Taylor, second form, Campion College — $80,000; and Tyquon McDougall, second form, Kingston College — $80,000.

Christopher Coke of Eminent Works Construction Limited, organiser of the treat, said giving back remains central to the initiative.

“Giving back to the children and families in our community is at the heart of why we continue to do this each year,” Coke said. “As the initiative has grown, we’ve been able to reach more students and provide greater support. We’re truly appreciative of CB Chicken coming on board this year because partnerships like these allow us to extend that impact.”

For Shani, Akeem and the other recipients, the awards represent another step toward the futures they are working to build. As they head into new classrooms and new challenges, CB Chicken’s message was simple: keep going — your hard work is being seen, and your potential is worth investing in.