Two students of the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School in New Amsterdam, Berbice, have been awarded scholarships under a programme spearheaded by Guyanese-born American immigration attorney, Kinda Velloza.
The students, Amethyset Alexander and Carlisha McInr0y, selected for their discipline, respectfulness, commitment to education, and financial need, each received cash awards, along with a laptop and smartphone, to support their studies.
Velloza, speaking in an interview about the initiative, said the criteria for selection went beyond academics and included 10 criteria.
“The most important ones were how respectful they are to their teachers, whether they have regular attendance, they’re coming to school on time, and whether they have plans for the future,” she explained. She added that smartphones were included in the package since, for many students, they are just as useful as computers in accessing learning resources.
This year’s recipients were chosen by their teachers, who assessed ten criteria outlined by the scholarship foundation. Above all, financial need was given significant weight in deciding who benefited.
Velloza, who grew up in New Amsterdam, said the scholarship was initially tied to her alma mater but has now expanded to include other schools in the town.
“I honestly wish it could have just been with my high school, but now I’ve decided that I’m gonna move around to different schools in New Amsterdam. I feel that everybody should absolutely be able to benefit,” she noted.
Looking ahead, she intends to make the programme bigger and better each year, with applications open ahead of the new school term every September.
“My hope is that before the start of every school year, students can apply and benefit from my scholarship,” she said.
For Velloza, giving back is not only about supporting education but also about reinforcing values of respect, discipline, and ambition among Berbice’s young people.
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