Twenty rewarded for performance at ‘Common Entrance’By Vanessa Narine
BEVERAGE giants Banks DIH yesterday hosted its annual Bursary Awards for 20 top achievers at the recent National Grade Six Assessment examinations. The awardees, children of employees and shareholders, were among some of the country’s top performers at the exams, including Kavita Sawh, who placed ninth.

The other 19 lucky awardees included: Teshana Bynoe, Avindra Singh, Sophia Choo-Hen, Khalid Gajraj, Lisa Rodney, O’Neil Walls, Aaliyah Rowe, Shaumar Glasgow, Latiffa Boston, Tricianna Stoby, Anuradha Persaud, Janet Ali, Samuel Boodhu, Akeila Wiltshire, Georgeia Bacchus, Zenobia St Clair, Sherwin Adams, Devika Seepersaud and Yogini Alana Maharaj.

The award is a scholarship programme that contributes a sum of money to meet the needs of the awardees annually over the five years of their secondary education. In addition to the Bursary Award programme for Grade Six top performers, Banks DIH also has another scholarship programme, namely the Peter D’Aguiar Scholarship, which assists with tuition for those attending the University of Guyana.

Giving the feature address at the ceremony was Mr. Patrice Jacobs, who challenged the awardees to endeavour to uphold the company’s motto, ‘Committed to Excellence’.

Referring to them as ambassadors of the company, he said that while they will be faced with a number of challenges over the next few years, their continued pursuit for excellence will ensure a bountiful reap of greater successes.

Jacobs said that granted that the awardees have done exceedingly well, they now need to remain focused on what is most important, so as to overcome other hurdles that they will face in the future.

Jacobs also challenged the parents of the children to be supportive of them and to be involved in every aspect of their lives. He said that while parents may not be able to meet every need of their child, standing behind them will be a great help.

Jacobs left his audience with the quote: “A good quality education is necessary for a meaningful life,” while assuring them of the company’s support.

In interviews with parents of the awardees, the general view was that the gesture of the company is a commendable one that gives an incentive to the children to work hard while assisting in shaping the minds and future of tomorrow’s leaders.

Parent of Georgia Bacchus, Godfrey Bacchus, stated that Banks DIH has fulfilled their responsibility to the community and it is an action that should be emulated by other organisations.

A former Bursary Award and Peter D’Aguiar scholarship winner, Ghanshayam Ramroop, stated that the efforts of the company has enabled him to educate himself and has propelled him to where he his at present. Ramroop currently serves as the company’s Maintenance Manager.

Another representative of the company, Troy Peters, stated that the company prides itself in giving back to those who deserve such accolades and reminded the awardees of the maxim: “Education is the most powerful weapon that can change the world.”