MORANT BAY, St Thomas — Three girls from St Thomas who did well in their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams have been lauded and awarded prizes for their hard work.

CSEC top achievers Britney Campbell and Rachel Jacobs received $30,000 each, while Sutanie Brown received $20,000 for her impressive performance in PEP.

“I feel really good! I am very proud of myself and seeing the smile on my mother’s face makes me really happy,” Campbell said after receiving her award.

Jacobs, who is now studying accounting at the University of Technology, Jamaica, was equally happy to have her hard work recognised.

“I am really looking forward to the next step. I am happy to know that my hard work has paid off and I give God thanks,” she said.

Brown, a student of Morant Bay High School, said the award has inspired her to work even harder.

“I really tried my best, but I believe I could have done better, even though I got this award. This award will motivate me to work towards my dream of becoming a medical doctor,” she said.

Recognition for the trio came from the Poor Relief Department at the most recent monthly meeting of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation.

The welfare arm of the council, Poor Relief, seeks to assist those in need, the aged, and the homeless. Its team members currently provide help to approximately 200 students within the parish. Inspector of Poor Donette Perry said they supply students with uniforms, books, and money for lunch. Students who are on the programme are supported through primary and high school and, in some cases, university if needed.

Each year the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development hosts a national award ceremony to spotlight high achievers who benefit from the poor relief programme. Students at the primary level are eligible for an award once they have scored more than 85 per cent in the PEP exam. Those at the high school level receive awards once they have passed five or more CSEC subjects, including mathematics and English A.

The award ceremony for 2020 was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The St Thomas recipients were invited to July’s monthly council meeting to receive their awards.

Chairman of the Poor Relief Department Councillor Rohan Bryan (People’s National Party, Morant Bay Division) said he is committed to supporting and investing in the children of the parish.

“I must say I am so proud of these students and I want us to recognise that the Poor Relief Department needs support to give more. We must pay close attention to our young people and see how best we can assist them,” he said.

— Ashagaye Mullings