44 New Students Awarded S.S.B. Scholarships
The Social Security Board issued over forty scholarships to high school and sixth form students from across the country. At an awards ceremony held at the Biltmore Plaza, the recipients were excited as they made their way to the stage to collect their certificates in the presence of their parents and guardians. It’s the twenty-second year of the scholarship program. News Five’s Duane Moody was there and files this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Its scholarship program began back in 2001; fast forward to 2023, over one thousand Belizeans have benefited from Social Security Board’s financial support in academic pursuits. Today, forty-four students joined the growing fraternity.
Vanessa Vellos, Communications & PR Manager, S.S.B.
Vanessa Vellos
“Twenty-two years of S.S.B. giving back. There’s been over a thousand students who have benefited from this scholarship program and over four million dollars that we have invested in this program. So you’re talking about positive economic movement because as you know, you get an education, you get a chance to get a job; you are able to be a productive member of society.”
This year, there were one hundred and sixty-seven applicants from across the country. It was shortlisted to ninety-seven, who were then invited to an interview. Subsequently, forty-four successful awardees were chosen for high school scholarships, vocational technical studies and tertiary.
Vanessa Vellos
“At the end of the day, a lot of them do not have the funds. And it is a very tough stressful time where parents are trying to figure out what to do next and what you don’t want to tell your child is I’m sorry, I don’t have the money; you won’t be able to continue along with your class – you know how that is, in terms of that socialization. You know you move with your class kinda thing.”
Duane Moody
“So the scholarships are full scholarships, including books, tuition?”
Vanessa Vellos
“Full scholarships. For high school, it’s twelve hundred dollars that you get per year. You got to maintain a good average. And for the sixth form scholarship, you get two thousand dollars. So you get a maximum of four thousand over the two-year period. So at the end of the day, you have – I am not saying that it covers everything, but it is a great help.”
Kriston Guerra is pursuing an associate’s degree in accounting at Sacred Heart Junior College in San Ignacio. He says that the scholarship is a relief for his family and will help him to achieve his career goal.
Kriston Guerra, Scholarship Recipient
Kriston Guerra
“My goal is to be an accountant some day for a company or a resort so I am trying to make them proud and be on the map for Belize.”
Duane Moody
“Part of the requirements is that you have really good grades and you have to maintain it throughout the two years. Let’s talk about that and making sure that you live up to it?”
Kriston Guerra
“All I have to do is study and make sure I do the right thing to keep on track and like I said, make them proud and always have good grades, always be attending classes everyday and doing what I have to do.”
Sunshine Robinson was accepted to Pallotti High School in Belize City. Her biggest supporter is her mother, Geraldine Kelly, and they were excited for this opportunity.
Sunshine Robinson
Sunshine Robinson, Scholarship Recipient
“I feel happy and very thankful because we signed up for a scholarship and we believe, if you noh get it, yo try again and if yo get it, yo feel very thankful. So that’s what I do believe.”
Duane Moody
“Pallotti is the school that you plan to go to. Let’s talk about that. Is this the school that you’ve always wanted to attend and this is affording you that opportunity?”
Sunshine Robinson
“I mi always want go to Pallotti. I know some people weh go deh and dehn tell me that Pallotti is a very good school. If dehn discipline, do weh dehn say; just keep your head up and noh get distracted.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
