Twelve outstanding students from the country's three top universities were yesterday recognised for their achievements by the Jamaica National Building Society (JN) with full tuition and bursary scholarships to continue their educational pursuits.

The scholars were honoured during a reception at the society's banking hall in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, and given solid words of advice by General Manager Earl Jarrett and Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee, director, Mona GeoInformatics Institution.

Among the scholarship awardees was Kimesha Walters, a third-year, Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications student.

Walters applied for the scholarship last year but had been turned down.

Reapplied

However, with unyielding determination, Walters reapplied and was this year awarded a bursary for $50, 000, which she said will go a far way in paying for her books and other daily expenses.

"I am really elated," Walters told The Gleaner. "It's been very difficult financially, so I am really grateful for this scholarship."

Walters said she will be working hard to get all A's this year with hopes of landing a first-class honours degree.

Jarrett encouraged the students to continue to strive for excellence. "I must also encourage you to be financially literate," he said. "Save, budget, plan and live within your means."

Lyew-Ayee, who has been named one of the University of the West Indies' top academics under 60, told the students to make the best of their opportunities.

"Don't screw it up," he told them. "Don't embarrass JN, don't embarrass your parents, don't embarrass yourself and don't embarrass Jamaica."

He also encouraged them to become mentors to the next set of JN scholars who will come after them.

'I am really elated,' Walters told The Gleaner. 'It's been very difficult financially, so I am really grateful for this scholarship.' Walters said she will be working hard to get all A's this year with hopes of landing a first-class honours degree.