The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recently presented grants valued $25,000 each to 31 students at its 2010 Bursary Awards ceremony hosted at Base Camp Ayanganna.
The army said the grants will be given yearly for five years to the children of its officers, other ranks and civilian employees who successfully completed the National Grade Six Assessment. The children of the GDF’s civilian employees received the awards last year, a press release said.
In a press release it said the grants are given in recognition of the students efforts as well as the interest, encouragement and sacrifices made by their parents and guardians in ensuring that they gain a secondary education.
This year’s top recipients are Jada George who gained 533 marks and Miriam Gaskin who gained 532 marks. Both were awarded places at Queen’s College. Jehu West gained 521 marks and was awarded a place at St Stanislaus College.
In his address at the ceremony Lt Col Leyland Saul congratulated the awardees and their parents for the hard work and dedication that resulted in success. He then reminded the awardees that they had crosses on hurdle on their paths to success and encouraged them to apply the same will, determination and focus to their new studies.
He also urged the parents to maintain vigilance over their children’s studies and continue to love and support them every step of the way.
He also alluded to the Chief of Staff Awards which is given to students who excel at CSEC; pointing out that the awardees who obtain five or more grade ones stood to benefit once again on completion of the CXC exams.
Giving the vote of thanks, George said she and her peers understood the advice given to them and she gave assurances to the audience that they will commit to working harder to sustain and surpass their current levels of success.
