( L - R ) Hastings, Duncan-Taylor

Jabari Hasting, of Vaz Preparatory, and Alanna Duncan-Taylor, of Sts Peter & Paul Preparatory, have been awarded the prestigious Scotia-bank Foundation scholarships, the top private-sector Grade Six Achievement Test Awards (GSAT) awards for boys and girls.

Dominic Saunders of St Richard's Preparatory and Zhara-Marie Henry of Mineral Heights Primary have been awarded the govern-ment's top boy and top girl scholarships, respec-tively.

Unforgettable

Jabari will probably never forget the moment he heard his name being read over the school intercom as the recipient of the top private-sector award attainable.

"It was great. Every-body, I could hear them applauding and screaming," he recalled.

Jabari said he owes much of his success to "motivation from his teachers and inspirational people like Ben Carson".

Alanna and her family were very excited about the news. The petite child, who wants to be a businesswoman when she grows up, says she had many late nights on her journey and so feels very rewarded for her effort.

"Well, I feel great and (know) that it will help me in the future," the soft-spoken youngster said.

"I want to thank my teachers, my class teachers and all others teachers who have helped me. They taught me well," she said.

The Gleaner was privileged to break the news to 11-year-old Pia-Milan Green, also of Sts Peter and Paul, that she was among the top 14 girls awarded government scholarships. Her first response was an ear-shattering scream as she processed the news.

"I'm one of the top girls?" she asked.

"I am really happy right now! It's just a great feeling to know that I worked so hard for GSAT, even through the summer 'til Christmas Day and night until 10 o'clock in the night and to win a scholarship, that's just great!"

Big dreams

Pia-Milan said she wants to be a derma-tologist so she can find a way to stop acne and help people have cleaner, more beautiful skin.

All but five of the top 32 boys and girls awarded government scholarships will be attending Campion College, much the same as with the private-sector scholarships. Both the top boy and girl will be attending Campion.

Immaculate Conception High, Ardenne High and St Andrew High are the only schools receiving at least two students who won either private sector or government scholarships.

andrew.wildes@gleanerjm.com