Meet the 7 Lucky BHA Scholarship Recipients
In time for the new academic year, the Belize Hotel Association is assisting parents to ease the burden of education costs. This morning, seven young students whose families work in the hospitality industry, were granted scholarships to pursue degrees in various areas. News Five’s Duane Moody attended today’s award ceremony at the Biltmore Plaza and files this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Today, seven students from across Belize were awarded scholarships, with a value of about eight thousand dollars, for them to acquire higher education at institutions across the country. The recipients are the children of persons employed in the hospitality industry, particularly members of the Belize Hotel Association. A brief ceremony was held at the Biltmore Plaza where the successful applicants were recognized.
Ted Tejada
Ted Tejada, President, Belize Hotel Association
“In 2011, we saw the needs that the industry was growing; actually this year, for the last six months, we’ve had a seventeen point one percent growth in tourist coming to the country of Belize. But in 2019 and 2020, we will see a tremendous growth of inventory, new hotels being added to the country of Belize so we will be needing an additional thousands of employees in the hospitality industry. So in 2011, we started a scholarship fund to grant scholarships only to employees that are members of the association and help them to send kids to high school, sixth form and university.”
For sixteen-year-old Maria Elizabeth Tillett, the scholarship gives her the opportunity to complete her last two years at Mount Carmel High School.
Maria Elizabeth Tillett
Maria Elizabeth Tillett, Scholarship Recipient
“Right now I am in third form and I was really surprised when my mom told me I got the scholarship. It is a big help for us because she’s the only one that is helping me with my studies and I am really happy, and kind of nervous.”
Duane Moody
“Do you have a particular area that you want to work in when you finish from school or would you want to further your education after high school?”
Maria Elizabeth Tillett
“I’m thinking to go to further education, still not sure. Not sure what I will continue studying but I just want to continue studying after high school.”
Duane Moody
“Any particular area that you want to work in?”
Maria Elizabeth Tillett
“Yeah, I think I would like to continue in the footsteps of my mom and work in a hotel.”
Paula Augustine has been working at Hamanasi in Hopkins for over a decade. Her daughter is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Belize in Belmopan. Given the tough economic times, Augustine says that the scholarship will ease the burden.
Paula Augustine
Paula Augustine, Employee, Hamanasi
“It’s a big help for me; thank you Belize Hotel Association; I am very thankful for that.”
Duane Moody
“So it is allowing your kid to go back to school?”
Paula Augustine
“My dauighter is going to the University of Belize in Belmopan; she is trying to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing. And I am really thankful for the help they gave us.”
For fifteen-year-old Primitivo Chan Junior, his next step is doing two years of studying at Saint John’s College Junior College before pursuing a career in aviation.
Primitivo Chan Jr.
Primitivo Chan Jr., Scholarship Recipient
“I am really grateful that BHA gave me this opportunity to further my studies. I am just thankful to BHA and to God for allowing me this opportunity.”
Duane Moody
“What area of study are you going to do and with intention to do what?”
Primitivo Chan Jr.
“I’m taking Maths and I want to be a pilot in the future.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
