The Tribune

THREE more Tara Xavier Hepburn Foundation Scholars - Amanda Fowler, Edwin Greenslade and Jewel Sturrup - have successfully completed their high school education at St John’s College, each graduating with special credit and honourable mention.

And with three full scholarships awarded for 2015 to 2018, the total number of students helped by the Foundation since the inception of the programme in 2007 has reached 29.

The Foundation was launched to celebrate the life of an exceptional young Bahamian and is dedicated to the holistic development of young people by empowering them to achieve a positive sense of self and to realise their full potential as productive, responsible and contributing citizens. The scholarship programme is open to graduates of Bahamas Government Junior High Schools and students of St John’s College and St Anne’s School who have successfully completed grade 9.

The scholarship, which covers full tuition and the cost of books, is tenable at St John’s and St Anne’s.

The most recent graduates served as prefects at St John’s and earned eight BGCSE subjects in addition to taking part in a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular activities.

Amanda Fowler was homeroom Student Council Representative and Chairperson of the Service Department of the Student Council. She has held positions of leadership in the Junior Achievement Company, the BEC-VOLTS and Toastmasters and served as co-captain of the St John’s senior girls’ softball team. She aspires to become an Emergency Room Physician and to this end has accepted a full scholarship from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, to pursue a degree in Biology and Chemistry.

Edwin Greenslade received the Archdeacon Keith Cartwright Award for Perseverance during the St John’s College graduation ceremony. Though he lost both of his parents he has continued to excel in his academics and the development of his character. He is enrolled at the College of the Bahamas (COB), where he is pursuing an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology.

Jewel Sturrup was on the volleyball, track and field, and debate teams. She was also a member of the Emerald Chorale and Teachers’ Cadet programme, secretary for the Student Christian Movement Club and served as a peer mentor for students. She is also enrolled at COB and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.

The 2015-2018 scholars are Dwayna Archer, of T A Thompson Junior High School, and Asianique Clarke and Deneil Rolle, of Anatol Rodgers High School, and they will enter grade 10 at St John’s. They bring the number of scholars currently in high school education to 11 with Jeffon Stubbs and Demonica Brown entering Grade 12 at St Anne’s; Moreice Forbes and Eleanore Simmons, who are entering their final year at St John’s; and Monique Chandler, Shania Lewis, Ralph Sealy and Nastacia Turnquest, all of whom are in Grade 11 at St John’s.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, applicants must be nominated by their school (or be a member of the TARA Project), attain at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average, have demonstrated leadership ability and/or community involvement, be of good moral character and successfully pass a minimum of five BJC subjects, including English and Mathematics, with grade C or better. Applicants also may be required to attend an interview.

The scholarship programme has many donors, including Giovanna Knowles, Katharine Seiler, Richard Campbell Ltd, Dr Livingston Marshall and the Anglican Central Education Authority, all of whom provide necessary support and investment in Bahamian youth through the work of the Foundation.