WESTERN BUREAU:

BURDENED by financial costs, Tasheena Montique was on the verge of taking 'leave' from the University of the West Indies (UWI). However, thanks to the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Bikeathon/ Jamaica Challenge, she no longer has to consider that option.

Like Montique, 16 other students gained invaluable monetary assistance to attain academic goals as a result of funds raised by the Rotarians through their yearly Bikeathon/ Jamaica Challenge charity, which had its 11th staging on the final weekend in May earlier this year.

About that time Montique, the beneficiary of the highest scholarship award - $100,000 - was not certain of her future at UWI.

Financial difficulties

"This summer I faced serious financial difficulties. For this summer I was actually thinking of taking a break, and somebody said, 'You can't take a break, try this'," the second-year student majoring in linguistics reminisced. "Then somebody pointed me to Mr. Bailey and I went there and I spoke to him and he said I must 'try man'. I said "'why not, I have nothing to lose'."

"So I wrote a letter and I called Dr. Samuels and I called Ms. Small and I did all I could do, I called and called and tried and I just tried and it came through. I'm really happy it came through." admitted Montique, one of four children living with their father - a self-employed technician - in Albion, St. James.

"I feel overjoyed because this has offset a lot of costs for me in terms of finances. I know that with this I've to work harder in terms of studying. I want to tell them thanks," said Montique, one of four children living with their father - a self-employed technician - in Albion, St. James.

Her sentiments were shared by the other 16 students from varying institutions, at last week's scholarship awards presentation at the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, St. James. The awards range from a high of $100,000 to $5,000, totalling $345,000. Since inception, MoBay Rotary Club has disbursed $1,175,500 in scholarship awards.

Main speaker Dr. Ben Henry, under the theme 'Charting Your Own Destiny', congratulated the successful awardees and urged them to be thankful for everything in life.