The Reach One Child (ROC) Foundation’s founders, Mr. Patrick Lindsay and Ms. Cherine Anderson, have announced the selection of 14 outstanding grade 6 students as the 2014 ROC Scholars. The students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic and athletic excellence, leadership, as well as contribution to their schools and communities.
“These students set really high standards for themselves. Most have not only achieved academically, but on average they are involved in at least three extracurricular activities or hold leadership positions in their schools or community youth groups. These students are truly models for their peers,” said Anderson.
For the past two years, the ROC Scholarship Program has honored 35 of the nation’s top-performing students. More than 250 top applicants qualified based on outstanding performance on the GSAT exams with averages of 80% and higher. The combined average of the selected 2014 ROC Scholars is 91%. Among the group are Head Boys, Head Girls, Debating Champions, School Challenge Quiz Team Members and Math Olympiads. This year’s group display record achievements in athletics, with one student totaling more than 80 medals in competitive swimming. More than half the group hold club President positions or were founding members of new clubs within their schools. In addition, several scholars are medalists in the JCDC Speech, Dance and Music competitions.
The students were recognized on Thursday July 31, 2014, at The Reach One Child’s Scholar Award ceremony held at the Eden Gardens Resort & Spa in Kingston. The theme of the ceremony was “Build, Stand Up and ROC Education”. The proceedings were blessed by parent Mrs. Millicent Findlay and ROC supporter Ms. Nina Karle. Special Presentations were given by students J’ Sherrick Whildman, Tariq Thomas, Keno Irving, Ronald Robinson as well as the 2013 Cherine Anderson Top Male and Female Scholars Vaniel Findlay and Davina Brown .
The Foundation also used the platform to officially launch the iROC EDUCATION initiative ; an effort to change the way we approach conversations about education between children and their parents, using art , music and fashion to encourage the diaspora to BUILD, STAND UP and ROC Education. The first project on the foundation’s agenda is the upcoming ROC KIDS FEST 2014 on August 10, 2014.
According to ROC’s Chairman Mr. Lindsay “In our dynamic world of innovation, technology and global connectedness, we view a forward thinking education as a critical foundation for young people. We are very proud of these hardworking students and look forward to their continued success in the years to come.”
Rising Singer/Songwriter Stratdon entertained the crowd with a very moving rendition of “I Believe I can Fly” as well as the self-penned “I Still Love You”. Special awards were presented to Dr. Mario Guthrie, Ms. Toni Spence (Business Strategy Manager), Ms. Marissa Bailey (Attorney-At-Law) and Ms. Kerry Ann Hepburn (Editor of The Children’s Own) for their contribution to the ROC School Tour and Scholars Mentorship Program initiative.
Award-winning journalist and author Mr. Ian Boyne C.D delivered a keynote message that was relevant, inspiring and truly meaningful to all in attendance. Mr. Boyne never left immediately after the ceremony but stayed to greet and meet both the parents and the scholars.
The ROC Scholarship Program was established by Cherine Anderson and Patrick Lindsay in 2013 to honor grade 6 students from primary and all age schools across Jamaica who demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, the arts, athletics and service. The scholarships cover both renewable scholarships and grants to offset expenses of their tuition, textbooks, school supplies and in some cases uniform for their high school year. ROC Scholars are selected each year based on assessment of their overall academic performance in grades 5 and 6, an essay, interview, leadership, service and commitment to high ideals.
|
NAME |
ROC SCHOLARS |
PRIMARY SCHOOLS |
HIGH SCHOOL |
|
Janae Bryan |
Cherine Anderson Scholar – TOP FEMALE |
Excelsior Primary |
Immaculate Conception HS |
|
Ronald Robinson |
Cherine Anderson Scholar – TOP MALE |
Spauldings Primary |
Knox College |
|
Britaney Melford |
ROC Scholar |
Rollington Town Primary |
Campion College |
|
Shanice Murray |
ROC Scholar |
Rollington Town Primary |
Immaculate Conception |
|
Tariq Thomas |
ROC Scholar |
Windward Road Primary & Junior High |
Wolmers High School for Boys |
|
Keno Irving |
ROC Scholar |
Alpha Primary |
Ardenne High School |
|
Kyanna Woodhouse |
ROC Scholar |
Rollington Town Primary |
Ardenne High School |
|
Paris Clare |
ROC Scholar |
Excelsior Primary |
St. Andrew High School for Girls |
|
Mickalia Jackson |
ROC Scholar |
Spanish Town Primary |
Ardenne High |
|
Dedrian Jones |
ROC Scholar |
New Mount Industry Primary |
Merlgrove High School |
|
Imani Samuels |
ROC Scholar |
Rollington Town Primary |
Convent of Mercy Alpha Academy |
|
J’Sherrick Whildman |
ROC Scholar |
Charlton Primary |
Holy Childhood High School for Girls |
|
Tericia Wolfe |
ROC Scholar |
Windward Road Primary & Junior High |
Convent of Mercy Alpha Academy |
|
Nathaniel Whittaker |
ROC Scholar |
Holy Rosary Primary |
Wolmers High School for Boys |