Police Force awards 16 scholarships
published: Tuesday | January 21, 2003
Senior members of the Police Force pose with 16 high school students from inner-city communities who received special scholarships yesterday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Also sharing the occasion was Aubyn Hill (second left back row), managing director of the National Commercial Bank. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
THE JAMAICA Constabulary Force (JCF) yesterday awarded 16 scholarships, valued at a total of $220,000, to 16 high school students living across inner-city communities.
"The scholarships are each worth $15,000 and will cover the cost of tuition and books for one academic year," Police Commissioner Francis Forbes said at a presentation function at his Old Hope Road offices in St. Andrew.
Twelve of the students were awarded full scholarships, while the other four
received half scholarships. The Commissioner said the students, who are from
Hannah Town, Denham Town, McKoy Land and Tavares Gardens, were well-deserving
of the scholarships.
The recipients are Abi Naomi Matthews and Abihail Apphia Matthews, both 16, from Delacree Pen, Kingston addresses and attending Merl Grove High School; Shantelle Lee-Fook Shem, 14, of Tavares Gardens and Clan Carthy High School; Shana Kaye Appleby, 15, of Nelson Street, Decoda Buckley, 14, of North Street, Barbara Ormsby, 16, of Nelson Street, Omar Downer, 17, of Blount Street, Kingston all attending the Denham Town High School in West Kingston; Dwight Grant, 14, of Tavares Gardens and Calabar High School; Susan Coddner, 13, of Myrie Avenue, Kingston and Norman Manley High; Kermar Thomas, 15, of Upper Oxford Street, and Richard Edwards, 15, of Blount Street, both attending St. Anne's High; Paul Coleman, 17, of Upper Oxford Street and Wolmer's Boys' High School.
The four half scholarships went to Daveth Stewart, 14, of Tavares Gardens; Radian Green, 15 of West Anderson Road; Sophia Blake, 14, of Tavares Gardens and Shawnie Latchman 14, of Tavares Gardens and Wolmer's Boys' High School.
According to Commissioner Forbes, eradication of crime and violence, through concentrated community-based initiatives, was the Force's top priority. He said the presentation of the scholarships was among the positive developments that had taken place on the community front in recent times.
Pointing to the hard work done since the social intervention of the security forces, Commissioner Forbes said his organisation has assisted in creating educational opportunities for a number of persons. He said members of the security forces have also removed over 400 truckloads of garbage from several inner-city communities.
"We are not alone in this venture as more than 225 residents from the communities
were employed to assist in this cleanup exercise," said the Commissioner."During
the Christmas season, over 300 households in the four communities were also
supplied with gift baskets."
