Howard Ward Benefit Foundation comes good for ambitious Jada-Leigh Haughton

WESTERN BUREAU:

For Falmouth, Trelawny resident Jada-Leigh Haughton, getting into university has been her longstanding dream. But, while her father, Donavan, was prepared to do all he could to support her passion, carrying the financial burden was a challenge that demanded more sacrifice and determination.

On Wednesday, the proverbial light in the tunnel that the father and daughter were desperately hoping to see suddenly appeared.

Jada-Leigh, a proud graduate of Westwood High School, was named among the 48 students, who will benefit from J$10 million, which was announced at the annual Howard Ward Benefit Foundation Scholarship Awards.

The much-appreciated scholarship award means that the path is now clear for Jada-Leigh to pursue a degree in Computer Network and Security at the University of Technology at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

“This scholarship means the absolute world to me because tertiary education is getting more expensive,” Jada-Leigh told The Gleaner after she was presented with her letter of commitment by Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, the police commander for St James.

“The reason for me choosing this course is because I have always had an interest in computer technology, and the world is rapidly moving in that direction,” said Jada-Leigh. “This scholarship will help me to bounce back from the economic hardships that I faced in the past. I look forward to completing my course of studies, and to return to help mitigate cyber threats to people’s lives and commerce.”

Jada-Leigh’s father, who was present to see his daughter getting her letter of commitment, seemed quite relieved at having the financial burden taken off him, while being seemingly pleased that the path has been clear for his daughter’s educational pursuit.

“We are extremely delighted ... the Ward Foundation has opened a door for me and my daughter,” said Haughton. “As a single dad, I had a deal with my daughter, where I told her to do her part of the academics and I will do my part, which is to finance it. That’s the partnership we have forged as daughter and father.”

JOURNEY LACED WITH GRACE AND HUMILITY

According to the father, his daughter’s academic journey was not only marked by achievement, but was also laced with grace and humility.

“I call her my shooting star, and she does it with such humility that it continues to amaze me,” he said, revealing that Jada-Leigh has outperformed her peers from her days at primary school and through high school, and he is confident she will do the same at the university level.

“In grade nine, she sat Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) and got a grade one, and at the end of her high school years, she attained nine ones in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination. For me, she represents the best of us,” he said.

However, while academics have always been a part of her story, the moment of stepping into university life has become deeply personal for the family.

“She is moving from rural Jamaica into the Corporate Area... it is a surreal moment, I am excited. I want her to go and see the world and then to see her contributing to Jamaica’s growth,” said the happy father.

The scholarship award presentation ceremony, which took place at the Sea Gardens Beach Resort, in Montego Bay, saw 24 new tertiary students, 13 returning tertiary students, and 11 high school students benefiting from the scholarships from the Howard Ward Benefit Foundation.

Since its inception, the foundation has invested over $22 million in scholarships for young Jamaicans who are academically gifted but financially challenged. In total, it has covered 88 scholarships to date.

For Jada-Leigh, who boasts a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, being among this year’s 24 new tertiary beneficiaries, she sees it as the lifeline to the future she has long envisioned.

“I just want to say thank you to the foundation for believing in me,” she said. “This is not just my opportunity; it’s my motivation to keep going.”

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com