Three students who have displayed exemplary acts of kindness in their communities and achieved outstanding academic success were awarded scholarships to St. Mary’s University in Canada.
The students received the scholarships from Henley & Partners, the global leader in citizenship and residence planning, in conjunction with the Halo Foundation.
Cuthbert Forbes Jr., public relations officer of the Halo Foundation said on OBSERVER AM yesterday that the recipients were selected based on acts of kindness as well as intelligence.
“A lot of times we overlook our youth who do kind things. So, for the scholarships, we look at their humanitarian efforts and their grades of course, because at the end of the day, it’s schooling, “said Forbes. “It’s these small acts of kindness that we look at; like have you have been helping your neighbour’s child with homework for five years and it’s just something that is flying under the radar that no one knows about.”
According to Franklyn Southwell, the main scholarship winner, this initiative will help to motivate other students to get more involved in their communities.
“It shows that there is a system that awards individuals who not just excel academically, but are hardworking and provide a lot of their services to charitable causes. This acts as an incentive for more young people to get involved in the community as their service will not go in vain,” said Southwell.
Southwell’s outstanding humanitarianism captured the foundation’s attention after he took up residence with his grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. The former St. Joseph’s Academy student also helps homeless people he meets at supermarkets giving them food and money and as well as assisting other charity groups.
Southwell will have his tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and other direct university costs covered, while the two other recipients, Armani Gomes and Raynier Debellotte, will have only their tuitions covered. This is the first year that the foundation has awarded scholarships to three students.
