Albert 'Bertie' Morris, after whom the main scholarship is named, kisses Peta Gaye Roberts who received the award during the Jamaica Public Service and Partners Co-operative Credit Union Limited 2009 Scholarship Awards presentation luncheon, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew recently. Looking on is Joydene Jarrett, general manager, JPS and Partners Co-op. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
A huge smile extended across Peta Gaye Roberts' face as she briskly moved towards the platform to receive her Albert 'Bertie' Morris Scholarship award.
The 18-year-old's dream of starting her tertiary studies will become a reality in the new school year, with the help of the scholarship from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and Partners Co-op Credit Union Ltd.
Roberts, who resides in Rollington Town, St Andrew, is the 2009 JPS essay competition winner, which earned her a three-year scholarship of $150,000 each year.
The recent graduate of Wolmer's Girls' School had wanted to attend the University of the West Indies to pursue computer science studies but, due to financial difficulties, the path looked doubtful.
Being the determined child she is, she started to consider different options to pay the tuition fees.
"My mother don't have it, but I knew I would have to go, even if it meant that I would have to work and study part-time," she said.
The scholarship will remain in effect for the three years if she maintains the required 'B' average.
The young scholar said she would work hard and dedicate herself to the task in order to be successful.
"I am excited about this opportunity and I am prepared to do what it is that I have to do to maintain the requirement. The money will cover three quarters of my tuition for the three years of my studies so I can't afford to give it up."
Mutual growth
Speaking during the award ceremony at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew on Wednesday, Derrick Tulloch, president of the institution, said the bursaries and scholarship were the manifestation of the credit union's founding belief which is grounded in mutual growth of both the members and the institution.
He added that the incentive was designed to relieve some of the financial burden associated with the pursuit of excellence.
The scholarship project this year amounts to a total of $2.2 million. In addition to the Albert 'Bertie' Morris scholarship, 30 Grade Six Achievement Test students received high school bursary awards of $12,500 each for three years.