Eighteen-year-old Tianna Smith and 12-year-old Tousaint Desouza are this year’s recipients of scholarships awarded by the Williams family of the Maldon Baptist Church in St. James.
The presentations were made during the Independence service held at the church in Maroon Town on Sunday (August 1). The students were selected for the scholarships from a pool of applicants, who attend the church and live in and around the Maroon Town Community.
Tianna, who recently completed a pre-university programme at the Montego Bay Community College and will be attending the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts at the start of the new academic year in September, said she is “very appreciative” to have been chosen for the financial support.
“I was very surprised. I was very shocked and grateful, and I am still awestruck that I was selected for the Maldon Baptist Church Williams Family Scholarship,” she said.“
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It will help me to buy school supplies that I need in my first year to help me further my education at Edna Manley College. I chose Edna Manley because I want to have a career in the performing arts. I want to be a cultural anthropologist and I believe that Edna Manley will help me to hone my craft and better my skills,” Tianna noted.
Tousaint, who recently graduated from Maldon Primary School and will be attending Anchovy High School in September, also expressed gratitude to the Williams family and the Maldon Baptist Church.
He said that with the financial support, he is looking forward to entering grade seven at his new school. His dream in life is to become a renowned chef.
Richard Williams, in his remarks at the presentation ceremony, noted that Tianna and Tousaint are among more than 24 students who have benefited from the scholarship programme, which began in 2007.
“It is a pleasure and an honour to annually recognise students selected by the Maldon Baptist Church. This is the 13th memorial for our parents, Richard and Mavis Williams, who were staunch members of this church and for whom this presentation and scholarship was established,” he said.
Mr. Williams noted that his siblings, who reside in Jamaica, Canada, and the United States, pool their resources to fund the scholarships.
He said that the objective is to enable well-deserving students to complete their studies and reach their potential.
“Too many [students] have started and don’t finish, especially the boys. We want them to reach the highest level in their chosen profession and become great exemplary persons in their community, country and the world,” he added.
To Tianna and Tousaint, Mr. Williams encouraged them to make good use of their education not only for their personal success but to contribute to national development.
He said that the Williams family will continue to help needy and underprivileged students from the Maldon Baptist Church and wider community.
“God has blessed us in so many ways and we are happy to be able to help some needy students of this church. It is our desire to continue this tradition as long as we can and as the Lord continues to guide us,” he pledged.
Source: The Jamaica Information Service – Maldon Baptist Church Students Receive Scholarships
