2025 Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary awards excellence

‘Lights, Camera, Legacy’, was a powerful reminder to the 2025 Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary recipients, as they were encouraged to step out into the spotlight, during the 35th staging of the awards ceremony, held at the GraceKennedy offices recently.

Caroline Mahfood, chief executive officer at the GraceKennedy Foundation, said the theme was a powerful reminder that each recipient had the potential, passion and promise for the future.

“The camera captures this moment, your achievements, your journey, and the pride we all feel today. And legacy, that’s the thread that connects us. It is the impact you will leave behind, the values you carry forward, and the lives you will touch,” Mahfood said.

The Carlton Alexander Bursary awards are presented annually to the children of staff members of GraceKennedy Limited who excel academically. Started in 1989, the Carlton Alexander Bursary Awards are named after Selwyn Carlton Alexander, who started out as a stock clerk at GraceKennedy Limited and rose to the position of chairman of the company.

Ameliya McPherson, fourth-form student at Immaculate Conception High School was excited to receive her award. “My average was over 90 per cent, and I achieved this feat only by the grace of God. I utilise time management and I am innately driven by my dreams and aspirations,” she said.

Her mother, Sonia McPherson, a senior business analyst, said she was proud of her daughter and is confident that she will continue to strive for excellence. “I tell her to do her best and put God first always,” she said.

Corone Morris, a past student of St Hugh’s High School, will be attending The University of the West Indies where she will pursue a doctor of pharmacy programme.

“I am very excited for her and I know she will work towards her goals. She puts her all into her work, and I know she will do the same at university,” said her mother, Christine Morris.

Twenty-three students were awarded scholarships at the secondary and tertiary level; including six new awardees – four at the secondary level and two at the tertiary level.

Kamoy Gordon, chief executive officer, Kadon Music Enterprises and 2019 recipient of the GraceKennedy Edna Manley College Full Scholarship, encouraged the recipients not to allow their circumstances to determine the outcome of their future.

“You are here today because of that light inside you that is shining. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are being acknowledged. Don’t be caught up pursuing someone else’s dream for you,” Gordon said.

“I could have chosen other traditional fields, but instead I chose to follow my heart and my passion – music. Music has opened many doors for me, and its melodies have kept me sane and grounded during the challenging times,” he added.

Scholarship recipients in high school and sixth form must maintain at least an 80 per cent average. The bursary amount for first to fifth form is $65,000. CSEC students must earn at least four grade ones in order to stay on the programme when they transition to sixth form.

Sixth-form students receive $90,000 and must maintain passes no lower than grade three in CAPE, to be renewed. University students receive a $150,000 bursary and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be renewed.

Meanwhile, Zoe Alexander, granddaughter of the late Carlton Alexander, said their family is deeply proud and honoured by the continued investment in bursaries that support these exceptional students.

“Education and hard work have always been core values in our household, and it brings us great joy to celebrate the children of GraceKennedy’s dedicated staff as they embark on their academic journeys. We remain committed to upholding the legacy of Mr Alexander through the work of the GK Foundation. We are confident that GraceKennedy will continue to champion the foundation’s mission, ensuring its impact endures for generations to come,” Alexander said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com