First Union Foundation awards 12 ‘Buss A Yute’ scholarships

The First Union Financial Group, through its foundation, has developed an initiative, the Buss A Yute scholarship programme, as part of its corporate social responsibility. The mission of the First Union Foundation is to incite the success of underprivileged youth by creating opportunities available to them, primarily in education.

The competition was intense and of the many applicants, 12 high-school students were selected from across the island to be assisted with their back-to-school needs.

This scholarship programme is designed to give opportunities to youth who have the ability to shine. Many promising students at the secondary level are unable to realise their potential due to financial constraints. As such, First Union Foundation will be making available part of its

$3 million budget to assist children who show excellence in education at the secondary level.

This move will have a positive impact on not only the students and parents, but also on the various communities.

The foundation had privately reached out to teachers and others over the years to assist in finding students at the secondary level who are doing well, and had provided them with financial assistance. But this year, with the Buss A Yute programme, input from the general public allowed the organisation

to locate students from across the island.

The awardees are attending schools such as Clarendon College, Campion College, Jamaica College, The Manning's School, St Elizabeth Technical High, Westwood High, and York Castle High.

The requirements for the scholarship were as follows:

• Applicants should have an 'A' average

• Good attendance

• Should be part of one or more extracurricular activities

• Two recommendations from a teacher, pastor or member of the community.

On September 8, the successful candidates were invited to the new head office of the First Union Financial Group and presented with their cheques.

Nicole Jenkins, group chief corporate executive, said: "First Union Foundation will continue to play its part in creating opportunities for under-privileged youth to encourage, reward and enable them to build a solid foundation, which will further impact our nation's growth. We encourage them to strive for excellence in all their endeavours."