Seprod Foundation has welcomed 26 new recipients while continuing its support of 101 returning scholars through its 2026 scholarship programme.

Under the theme ‘Beyond the Milestone: The Journey Ahead,’ this year’s programme welcomed 23 new Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Scholarship recipients, Granville Marsh Award recipients, and the Byron Thompson Award for Academic Excellence recipient.

Together, they represent a growing community of 127 scholars being supported not simply at a single academic milestone, but as they progress through secondary education and pursue their ambitions.

Each Seprod Foundation PEP Scholarship is valued at $150,000 providing sustained financial support to recipients as they progress through secondary school.

With the 101 returning scholars also continuing within the programme, Seprod Foundation Executive Director Lisa D’Oyen said its investment reflects a long-term approach to helping young people access educational opportunities and pursue their ambitions.

“Our scholarship programme is about recognising potential and then continuing to invest in it,” D’Oyen is quoted in a news release.

“These students have already demonstrated that they are capable of achieving great things, and we want this support to encourage them to keep working towards the futures they envision for themselves.

We are incredibly proud to welcome our 2026 scholars and to celebrate those who continue to excel,” added D’Oyen.

The ceremony’s theme encouraged the students to view their PEP achievement not as a destination, but as a launchpad for what comes next.

Among this year’s honorees were Andrica Gowie and Mathieu Heslop, recipients of the Granville Marsh Award.

Named in honour of the late Granville Marsh, a past director of the Seprod Foundation, the award continues his legacy of supporting young people in their pursuit of education.

Each year, the Seprod Foundation works with the Ministry of Education to identify the top-performing boy and girl in St Thomas for the award.

Gowie, a former student of Port Morant Primary and Junior High School, distinguished herself through strong academic performance, student leadership and participation in extracurricular activities, while Heslop, formerly of Providence Kinder Preparatory, has demonstrated a strong sense of determination and aspires to become a doctor.

Shakenia Wilson was recognised as the 2026 recipient of the Byron Thompson Award for Academic Excellence, which celebrates the top-performing student from a previous Seprod Foundation scholarship cohort.

The award honours Byron Thompson, current director of the Seprod Foundation, whose commitment to educational excellence led to the establishment of the Seprod scholarship programme.