Sagicor has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to 132 students at the Primary and Secondary levels under its corporate staff education programme.

The scholarships were presented during a ceremony held at Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited in New Kingston, yesterday (August 10).

The education programme which was established to provide support to children of team members at the primary and secondary levels is now in its 24th year.

It is open to the natural and legally adopted children of all permanent team members of Sagicor, as well as all stepchildren living with the team members.

The awards are based on the proven academic achievement of at least a B-plus average; demonstration of character and integrity in school; and demonstration of leadership potential and involvement in the wider society through extracurricular activities.

In his remarks, Vice President of Group Human Resources, Sagicor Life Jamaica, Karl Williams, urged the recipients to develop values such as integrity and teamwork at an early age.

“We want to rise up and invest in leaders, and this function is a stellar event in investing in leaders, persons that will be the change agents and the champions to take us into the next century,” Mr. Williams said.

For his part, guest speaker and Sagicor Team Member of the Year 2015, André Latchman, urged the recipients to take responsibility for their education.

“You need to show up to your classes and be present in the moment. Your teachers and parents can do everything in the world, but if you don’t take responsibility, you will not have the kind of success that you can have,” he said.

He further encouraged the students to manage distractions well.

“You will fall from time to time, but when you fall make sure you are prepared and ready to get up. Try not to give in to peer pressure,” Mr. Latchman encouraged.

He also charged the students to build their emotional and relational skills.

Mr. Latchman urged parents to help their children to set goals and be their accountability partner.

“If you are going to be your child’s accountability partner and if your child did that homework ahead of time, celebrate with them. Give them a kind word,” he said.

Source:

Jamaica Information Service