Professional Jamaicans for Jamaica, Inc. Uplifting Our Nation s Children, One Child At A Time

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1 2018 High School Scholarship Awards Program Professional Jamaicans for Jamaica, Inc. (PJFJ) is a non-profit organization based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. It was founded by Horace A. Daley, and its business operations commenced on May 10, PJFJ is dedicated to providing financial support to students in Jamaica who demonstrate academic excellence. Program Guidelines & Priorities For the 2018/2019 academic year, several scholarships will be awarded to students attending high schools in Jamaica. The organization invites new and current high school students with strong academic performance, who seek financial assistance to offset their educational costs. They should also volunteer in their communities in nonschool sponsored events, and participate in extracurricular school activities. Applicants must meet the minimum grade point average requirements, have total family annual income under JMD$2 million, and will attend high school in the upcoming academic year. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the high schools in August 2018, or thereafter. Applicants must have the endorsement of their school administration on their application attesting they are qualified for this scholarship program. We strongly suggest that each school present this opportunity to the strongest applicants that match this program s guidelines. *** Transportation assistance will be considered for eligible students who live more than one hour away from the awards ceremony location (The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston). *** High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 1 of 7

2 AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS 1. The Esmie L. Walters Scholarship (Essay Competition); open to all high school students. 2. The Dr. Rashida Biggs Scholarship; open to all high school students; minimum 80% average. 3. The Ambrozean Scholarship; open to all high school students entering Lower Sixth Form; minimum five (5) CSEC passes. 4. The Andrew Andy Cole Sports Scholarship; open to all high school athletes who are actively involved in inter-school (against other schools) competition; minimum 85% average. 5. The Grayson Family Scholarship; awarded to successful GSAT students; minimum 95% average; top 5% of class. 6. The Taylor Family Scholarship; awarded to successful GSAT students; minimum 85% average; top 10% of class. St. Thomas High School Students (Only) 7. The Ryon Mallett Academic Scholarship; open to all Seaforth High School students *** 8. The Gopal Burgher Academic Scholarship; open to all St. Thomas High School students *** *** NOTE: If you attend or will attend Seaforth High School or another St. Thomas High School, you can choose to apply for any ONE of the other scholarships. You are NOT limited to applying for ONE of these two scholarships, if you prefer to apply for a different scholarship. ONE copy of a complete application package (refer to pages 3-7) to The Scholarship Committee at scholarships@pjfj.org Please avoid sending multiple s or copies of the same documents multiple times. If your FINAL school report or CSEC results will not be available by the application deadline, kindly submit everything else before the deadline, so you can be placed on the waiting list. No decisions will be made, until we receive the missing information. Your application will be automatically disqualified, if it is missing anything else. Contact Information Please direct all scholarship questions for the current scholarship period (2018/2019) to scholarships@pjfj.org Visit our website at to send non-scholarship questions or comments directly to the organization. We value your feedback and will respond promptly. High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 2 of 7

3 INSTRUCTIONS Requirements Essays and Personal Statement must be written by student and be age-appropriate. Documents must be typed double-spaced, one-inch margin, and 12-point regular font. Whenever possible, use titles, headings, lists, tables, etc. Include cover page with student name, school name, and word count. Submit in MS Word format only - No PDF, JPEG, typewriter or handwritten submissions will be accepted. Grammar, spelling, organization, and overall presentation are very important!!! *** Please consult your school administration if something is unclear, you need help getting your documents in the correct formats, or you need help submitting your documents. *** Option #1: ESMIE L. WALTERS SCHOLARSHIP (ESSAY COMPETITION) (2,500 words max) In recent years, indiscipline and violent crimes have steadily become the norm in Jamaican society. Some believe that better will never come, while others believe there is still hope for the nation and its citizens. 1. In your own words, how would you define the word indiscipline and the term violent crimes? 2. Are you for or against one of these two positions, better will never come or there is still hope? While you might have an opinion, you must also support your position with proven facts. 3. Assume your school was awarded a grant of Euro 1million (~ USD$1,246,000) from an independent agency in Europe, to effectively curb indiscipline and violent crimes that are both spiraling out of control. As a student and citizen of this beautiful island, which plans would you implement to make these changes? Your plan design and steps should be SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Option #2a: DR. RASHIDA BIGGS SCHOLARSHIP *** or *** Option #2b: AMBROZEAN SCHOLARSHIP (2,500 words max) Jamaica is one of most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and it could be argued that it is indeed the most beautiful island in the Caribbean! Either way, it is under attack and the enemy is pollution, which is caused by humans. 1. In your own words, what is pollution? What are the different types of pollution? 2. Using facts and figures of the different types of pollution, which three are the biggest threats to the island? 3. In your opinion, how was this allowed to happen? 4. Lastly, a past student of your school has been very successful over the years and decided to award his/her Alma Mata GBP 1million (~ USD$1,412,200). Due to your brilliance and unrelenting desire to serve your community, you were voted as the best student to undertake a life-changing project that would help return the island to its beauty of years past. Which plans would you execute to ensure that this award accomplishes the expectations of the donor? Your plan design and steps should be SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 3 of 7

4 Option #3: ANDREW ANDY COLE SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP (2,500 words max) Most Jamaicans cannot live without sports, especially football, cricket, netball, and track and field. These are our national pastimes. Jamaicans are also competitive in swimming, various winter sports, and are now considering rugby. Who would have thought that this little island of 2.8 million could be so mighty? 1. Which sport do you play, and how has your involvement in sports changed your life? 2. Sports should be mandatory for all students. Are you FOR or AGAINST this statement and why? 3. If you were to become a professional athlete, who would you want to emulate and why? 4. How has this professional athlete contributed to Jamaica s development? Note: Principal must confirm that student is actively involved in inter-school sports and represents the school. Option #4a: RYON MALLETT SCHOLARSHIP (Seaforth High School) *** or *** Option #4b: GOPAL BURGHER SCHOLARSHIP (ALL St. Thomas High Schools) (1,500 words max) Students applying for ONE of the two St. Thomas scholarships are only required to complete and submit the PERSONAL STATEMENT below. There is NO essay requirement. PERSONAL STATEMENT Mandatory for ALL Students (1,500 words max) Write a short statement in support of your application. This should address the following points: 1. Why are you applying for this scholarship, and how will you benefit from the opportunities it will provide? 2. Discuss any challenges you have dealt with, overcame, and how these lessons have influenced you. 3. How have you contributed to your school and community during the academic year? In retrospect, what could you have done differently? High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 4 of 7

5 APPLICATION FORM *** Please answer ALL questions completely and truthfully. Do not leave any questions unanswered. Please write clearly. *** 1 Student Name (First Middle Last): 2 Date of Birth (MM-DD-YYYY): Age: Gender: 3 Past School (Current GSAT Students Only): Grade Recently Completed: New / Current School: School Address: 4 Name of Father, Step-father, or Legal Guardian: (does NOT matter if this person lives with you) Profession: Name of Mother, Step-mother, or Legal Guardian: (does NOT matter if this person lives with you) Profession: Company Name: Company Name: 5 Based on Question 4, which primary caregivers do you live with? Please be specific. 6 Home Address: Contact Phone #: Address(es): Home: (876) Cell: (876) 7 How many siblings do you have? How many siblings live with you? Excluding you, how many siblings (under 19 years old) in your household will attend school in the new academic year? 8 Including your parents, are you the first in your immediate family to attend high school? 9 How did you learn about our organization? Please be specific. Give name of Student Ambassador, if applicable. 10 Are you currently enrolled in our youth development program as a Student Ambassador? 11 Have you ever received any scholarships or financial assistance from our organization, when? 12 Do you currently receive or did you receive financial assistance or any support during the last 12 months - e.g. Jamaican government, school, church, companies, etc.? List ALL sources and type of assistance. 13 Will you receive or are you expecting financial assistance or support from other sources for the new academic year? List ALL sources, type of assistance, and expected amount (if known). 14 Which ONE of the eight (8) scholarships are you applying for? Do not apply for the wrong scholarship. High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 5 of 7

6 STATEMENT of ACCURACY for STUDENTS I hereby affirm that all the information provided by me is true and it is not my intention to mislead the organization. I hereby understand that I must be present at any potential awards ceremony to receive my scholarship. In addition, my picture may be taken and used to promote the scholarship program. *** Transportation assistance will be considered for eligible students who live more than one hour away from the awards ceremony location. *** I hereby understand that it is my responsibility to provide the appropriate information for my scholarship to be paid directly to my high school in August 2018, or thereafter. Student Signature: STATEMENT of ACCURACY for PARENTS / GUARDIANS I hereby affirm that all the information provided by me is true and it is not my intention to mislead the organization. Father, Step-father, or Legal Guardian: Mother, Step-mother, or Legal Guardian: STATEMENT of SUPPORT by SCHOOL ADMININSTRATION We (Guidance Counselor & Vice-Principal) hereby affirm that this application meets the criteria set forth in the Program Guidelines & Priorities. We also recommend this student to Professional Jamaicans for Jamaica, Inc. If your school does not have a Guidance Counselor, your application must be signed by the school s Vice- Principal and Principal. We require at least two signatures, without exception. Guidance Counselor: Vice-Principal: Principal: School Seal & Stamp: IMPRINT MUST BE VERY VISIBLE NOTE: Please review the APPLICATION CHECKLIST on the following page, before submitting your documents. Your application will be automatically disqualified, if it is incomplete. Thank you. High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 6 of 7

7 APPLICATION CHECKLIST If your FINAL school report or CSEC results will not be available by the application deadline, kindly submit everything else before the deadline, so you can be placed on the waiting list. No decisions will be made, until we receive the missing information. Your application will be automatically disqualified, if it is missing anything else. ************ ALL relevant documents TOGETHER and in the correct formats (MS Word and PDF only) Completed Application Form (incomplete forms will not be processed automatic disqualification) Signed (1) Statement of Accuracy for Students (2) Statement of Accuracy for Parents/Guardians (3) Statement of Support by School Administration Option #1 - Essay (Esmie L. Walters Scholarship (Essay Competition) MS Word format) Option #2a - Essay (Dr. Rashida Biggs Scholarship MS Word format) Option #2b - Essay (Ambrozean Scholarship MS Word format) Option #3 - Essay Competition (Andrew Andy Cole Sport Scholarship MS Word format) Option #3 - Confirmation of inter-school competition and results (certified by school Principal only, no exceptions) Option #4a - Personal Statement Only (Ryon Mallett Scholarship, Seaforth High School MS Word format) Option #4b - Personal Statement Only (Gopal Burgher Scholarship, ALL St. Thomas High Schools MS Word format) Personal Statement (mandatory for ALL students MS Word format) Original GSAT Placement Letter (showing results and new school placement) Original CSEC Transcript (from CXC website, or confirmation letter written on official school stationery and signed by Principal) School Reports (ALL 3 reports for current grade Christmas, Easter, and Final)** School Fee Invoice Letter (NOT copies of the vouchers payable to the bank) *** letter must be written on official school stationery, showing specific student name, and breakdown of amounts owed by specific student *** Proof of Income (last 3 pay statements for BOTH parents/guardians showing standardized deductions) *** if either unemployed or self-employed, submit signed personal letter explaining financial situation, source of income and annual amount *** personal letter must be notarized by JP to confirm your comments; JP seal imprint, full name, and contact details must be very visible ** If your school only issues two school reports and not three, it must be evident on the other school reports, or confirmed in writing by the school administration. High School Scholarship Application Deadline Sunday, JULY 15, 2018 Page 7 of 7