Western Jamaica Students Awarded $3.5 Million in Scholarships

The MoBay City Run charity has awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to tertiary and high-school students from across Western Jamaica.

The funds, which represent the proceeds from this year’s MoBay City Run, were handed over during the organisation’s recent scholarship presentation ceremony held at Sandals Montego Bay in St. James.

Beneficiaries are from Sharpe Teachers’ College, Mount Alvernia High School, Rhodes Hall High School, University of Technology, University of the West Indies and the Montego Bay Community College, who were asked to submit essays outlining their financial need.

Founder of MoBay City Run, Janet Silvera, encouraged the scholarship recipients to give back to other students in need when they are in a position to do so.

“Every year, during this event, we also stress the importance of paying it forward, and you will all agree that unless you pay it forward this entire effort is fruitless, ” she noted.

Among the scholarship awardees is Rhianna Lewis, who is an 11th grade student at Rhodes Hall High School in Hanover.

The 400-metre runner received the inaugural Jill Stewart Sports Scholarship, named for the late wife of Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, and frequent MoBay City Run participant.

Mr. Stewart, who handed over the first $300,000 of the $1.5 million scholarship, which will be awarded over five years, said the “sports-related scholarship is something I think my wife would love”.

A tearful Rhianna thanked Mr. Stewart and MoBay City Run for the support and pledged to make good use of the opportunity presented to her.

The MoBay City Run is an annual event, which features five and 10-kilometre races in the Second City.