20 Students Benefit from the Shirley Roberts-Young Care and Educate Foundation
The Shirley Roberts-Young Care and Educate Foundation is providing twenty scholarships to deserving children who are transitioning to high school this coming August in its inaugural scholarship program. The recipients are from across the length and breadth of the country, as the organization had the difficult task of choosing the lucky students out of one hundred and thirty-seven applications. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
With help from teachers and principals, the Shirley Roberts-Young Care and Educate Foundation scholarship program got off to a great start with over a hundred and thirty applications sent in from elementary schools across the country. They were initially going to award eight full scholarships, but due to the overwhelming need for financial help, they are providing nine full scholarship and eleven partial scholarships.
Jillian Alegria
Jillian Alegria, Representative, Shirley Roberts-Young Care and Educate Foundation
“The foundation was looking for excellence so the children were asked to submit applications and they looked at those ones who would be excellent ambassadors for Belize down the road as well as having a needy situation where they themselves could not take themselves to high school, but they have that dream to do well and that’s what the foundation is all about.”
It is the first year of the scholarship program and the scholarship is for all four years of secondary school. Jillian Alegria, who represents the foundation, breaks down the scholarship packages.
Jillian Alegria
“The foundation is offering tuition, books, laptops, printers, school bag with tool supplies and also little toiletries, little things that the child may need in the course of the four years. Even the partial scholarships get tuition, but they only get like four hundred dollars towards their books and a school bag with supplies. It’s for the four years and the children have an obligation as well because they are tasked to maintain an average of at least eighty percent. They are supposed to have attendance of ninety percent. They are also supposed to do some community work. So the children themselves have certain obligations – to continue the scholarship, they have to meet these certain criteria.”
Meet eleven-year-old Daniel Savery. He was this year’s valedictorian at Wesley Upper School. A successful applicant for a full scholarship, Savery wants to be an anesthesiologist. But first, he will be attending Saint John’s College in Belize City.
Daniel Savery
Daniel Savery, Scholarship Recipient
“When I found out I was really excited. I couldn’t even imagine that I would be getting it. I would like to finish Saint John’s and I would like to finish sixth form as well and I would eventually want to go to a medical school in Cuba”
Duane Moody
“That’s your goal? To become a doctor?”
Daniel Savery
“Yes sir.”
Duane Moody
“What kind of doctor?”
Daniel Savery
“An anesthesiologist.”
Twelve-year-old Antwan Latchman received a partial scholarship. He is an avid youth football athlete, but is balancing his academics. Like Savery, the graduate from Holy Redeemer Primary School will also be attending Saint John’s College.
Antwan Latchman
Antwan Latchman, Scholarship Recipient
“I was successful and very lucky and I want to thank my mom, my dad, my sister and all the people that supported me and my teammates.”
Duane Moody
“Let’s talk about what you want to do in terms of where you see yourself in a profession, your career because this is just the stepping stone? So what is it that you want to be?”
Antwan Latchman
“I want to be a professional footballer. One day dream to play with Barcelona, be famous and inspire people. OUT 01:00
Duane Moody for News Five.
