We are extremely pleased to announce the recipients of Treasure Beach Foundation’s 2011 scholarships. These are awarded for the school year beginning in August 2011 and will continue through July 2012.

A Treasure Beach Foundation scholarship is all-inclusive and pays for approved expenses for transportation, uniforms and shoes, books, school supplies, lab fees, lunches, snacks, and a host of other items required by the schools. A full scholarship pays 100% of the costs for a year and is worth in excess of $2,000 (USD). A three-quarter scholarship pays for 75% of expenses, and a one-half scholarship pays for 50%.

In addition, students already in the program will have their scholarships renewed for the following year at levels based upon their grades and fulfillment of their other obligations for that particular year. This is, of course, dependent upon Treasure Beach Foundation having sufficient funding.


Miss Zane Ebanks Addressing the Student Body

A full scholarship is being awarded to Shakiera Gordon. She will be attending Hampton Academy. Though her favorite subject is mathematics, she scored the highest of all those at Sandy Bank who sat for the GSATs in math, science, and social studies this year. Shakiera’s favorite thing to do in her spare time is reading. Shakiera is interested in getting a master’s degree in education so she can “teach children so they could become educated and have a good life, be independent, and be good law-abiding citizens in our country.” She has consistently gotten excellent grades, but she shows how well-rounded a student she is by being one of the top runners at Sandy Bank, being on the netball team, and being the Captain of her house.


Shakiera Gordon

A three-quarter scholarship goes to Julisa James. She will be attending Bishop Gibson High School in Mandeville. Julisa spend a great amount of time studying so she can learn more, become more focused, concentrate on her weak areas, and get high grades on her tests. As does Shakiera, Julisa also wants to become a teacher. She is eager for the “children to go out in the world with a good education and get a good job.” Julisa sings at her church and in the community. She is also the Class Monitor and Head Girl of the school.


Julisa James

Eleni Genus is the proud recipient of a one-half scholarship. She will be attending Black River High School. Elini’s two favorite subjects are math and science. Like Julisa, Eleni is a serious student who spends a lot of time studying so she can get good grades. As do Shakiera and Julisa, she wants to become a teacher. She told us she has played school with her cousins since she was a little girl and loves to “teach children and help them achieve their goals.” She would also like to teach illiterate people to read and write. Elini’s responses showed her curiosity and how deeply she thinks about many things. (We would like to note that Eleni’s older sister, Anath, has also received a Treasure Beach Foundation scholarship; this indicates how important education is in their household.)


Eleni Genus

Another one-half scholarship has been awarded to Lateka Williams. She will be attending Black River High School with Eleni. Lateka’s favorite subject is social studies; she likes to learn about Jamaica, the environment, and the solar system. She is fortunate enough to have a lot of access to an online computer (which most students at Sandy Bank don’t) which she uses to find a lot of useful things on the Internet. Lateka is interested in becoming a lawyer, most especially a family lawyer; she would like to be able to help families solve their conflicts so they can become a better family.


Lateka Williams


The Four Happy Winners (left to right): Shakiera Gordon, Julisa James, Eleni Genus, and Lateka Williams

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous people who have made this program possible. These include the families of these students—the people who were there day and night, taking care of them and encouraging them. The fact that three out of four of the 2011 scholarships aspire to being a teacher speaks directly to the respect and admiration they have for both their principal, Miss Zane Ebanks, and the teachers who have helped guide them along the way; many of the students cited their grade six teacher, Mrs. Sheryl Alvaranga, as being the most important person in their lives who is not a relative. We also want to thank our donors who give so generously, even when money is tight. Whether they donate use of their villas, donate their services for people who win villa vacations, buy villa raffle tickets, donate money, or donate artwork for our online auction—every bit helps. No donation is considered too small.


Miss Zane Ebanks and Mrs. Sheryl Alvaranga

We also wish to thank our Board of Directors and our Board of Advisors, all of whom take their volunteer positions quite seriously and professionally. A special thank you goes to Rebecca Wiersma, one of our Advisors, who took these pictures; even though she is incredibly busy running Treasure Tours, she never seems too busy to provide her assistance to us.


The Four Winners Walk off to a Bright New Opportunity

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the recipients, their families and teachers. These young ladies have worked very hard to achieve these scholarships and I'm sure had lots of encouragement from those around them. I am always so happy to be there when the winners are announced as the joy in their faces is so heartwarming.

Thanks again to Miss Zane, Miss Karen and the Treasure Beach Foundation for all their hard work in making these scholarships possible.

What a great cause!!

I also saw this at http://www.facebook.com/notes/treasure-beach-foundation/2011-12-scholarship-winn ers-announced/193126950739617. Take a look.

Beautiful. Best wishes to all of the students!

Congratulation Girls keep up the good work.I am not familar with there faces i leave Treasure Beach for the early 80s.Who they related to I am hoping one is my family they r so pretty well done Teacher and the TBF.U all did a good job.

Thats very nice girls,keep up your heads high god blessing.

We would like to thank "Treasure Beach Foundation", for awarding our daughter, Shakiera Gordon the full scholarship for her achievement at Sandy Bank Primary School.

Many thanks,
 Lloyd/Laura

Once again, we must give thanks to our Sandy Bank Primary School "Teachers" for the dedication they have shown in our children.
Again, Sandy Bank Primary School make us feel proud,
Please keep up the good work.

I would like to congratulate all the scholarship students for working so hard to achieve what they required, especially our daughter Julisa James who has done exceptionally well, and has worked very hard to acquired her achievement. We are so proud of you, keep up the good work. Special thanks to all the teachers and the principal Ms.Zane, especially to grade six teacher Ms. Alvaranga who has done a tremendous job with her students, also to the Treasure Beach foundation many thanks.
John & Sophia.

Hi Shakiera,

We would like to take this opportunity to extend to you our heartfelt congratulation on the splendid job you have done. You have made us happy and so thrilled.

As you are about to further mould and shape you life, we would like to both encourage you to do your very best. A famous person once said " Education is your paasport for the future, get it today" , so we entreat you to strive for the best and remember the sky is the limit.

In closing remember to trust the Lord with all thine heart and in all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Congrats agin Shaki !!!

I would like to say a big congratulation to all the students who have passed their G.S.A.T...Especially to my neice Julisa James & my cousin Shakiera Gordon.I know you all have make your parents very proud...Continue to keep up the good work, keep your heads up high, and reach for the stars! Congratulation also to the hard working teachers who had work with those children in order to achieve their goal. May God keep you all safe.

Well done & congratulations Julisa and Shakiera,I am extremely proud of you both,continue to work hard and just remember that the sky is the limit.

Thank the Lord for the Treasure Beach Foundation. Without their support many of our most promising students would not have these opportunities. May God bless you for the fine work you do for our community.

Well done girls, I was really looking for better result this year, I know the students are trying, last year it was also four students that received scholarships.

I would like to extend congratulations to these four beautiful and brainy young ladies. Also congratulations are in order to their teachers for the hard work and dedication they placed on these children, last but not least congrats also to the other children who did well on their GSAT exams but did not get a scholarship.

It would be nice if the names of the parents could be included on the short bio on each students; there are many former Treasure Beach residents who are not familar with the younger ones but would difinately know their parents. So far Julisa is the only person I can place and that was due to the congratulatory message from her dad; John.

We feel somewhat protective of our scholarship students and do--to some extent--protect their identities. If any of the parents reading this care to post their names, we will leave it up to them to do so; however, we don't feel comfortable in doing this ourselves.

Please understand this is to ward off any online predators, as we are talking about 12-year-old girls; it is certainly not because we do not feel their parents deserve to be congratulated. I am putting myself in the place of one of these parents because I have children (and grandchildren) of my own.

Well said Mrs Kennedy.

I totally agree with you Mrs. Kennedy. Again thank you for the fantastic and most gracious job that you are doing.

Congratulations Julisa!!
Well done!! We are very proud of you and your hard work!!
Love,
Auntie Coralie & your cousin Clara Mae James

Congratulation to all the students on their G.S.A.T passes, especially to my two cousins Julisa & Shakeira...I'm happy for you all...Continue to work hard to acheive your goal
Fr.Cousin Lisa

Sorry, Mrs. Kennedy i cannot agree with your explanation...remember we have no control once we have released our information into cyberspace. Which is more harmful - including the parents names or posting their photos on the internet. Please I am proud of the girls achievement and your dedication, so I am not looking a war here, but feel I had to comment.

Excellent to see hard work pays off. Congratulations to these ladies.

Look at the Facebook page for Treasure Beach Foundation. They give even less information on the students there. I DO believe they are attempting to protect them while awarding them scholarships. If another parent care to post their name they can.

I would like some information on Bishop Gibson High School. It seems that Mandeville is a long way to travel each day. Will Julisa be boarding there or living with relatives in Mandeville?

Well done to the students and their teachers. I still recall my BIG day in 1975 when news came of my Common Entrance success. For those too young to recall (or the non Jamaicans) that was the high school entrance test that predated the GSAT.

And commendations to Karen Kennedy and the Treasure Beach Foundation for the scholarship programme that continues to make a difference in the lives of these children. Your contribution to the students, the school and the community should never be taken for granted. The more I read of the financial difficulties being experienced by a large number of Americans and of the crisis many schools in the US are facing, the more I understand how much of a sacrifice the foundation and its contributors are making on behalf of these children of Jamaica. That should never be taken for granted. It should also provide a lesson on the importance of volunteerism and extending a helping hand beyond one's own immediate family or community.

I applaud all you have said, Earl. I am having the uncomfortable feeling that Sandy Bank and all of Treasure Beach is expecting these scholarships year after year, and we do not give proper appreciation for all those who work hard to raise the funds and administer the programme. It takes less than five minutes to read the annual announcement. However, I would imagine it takes hundreds and hundreds of hours on the part of the Foundation to make everything work as smoothly as it does.

Thank you to all concerned with this programme.

Congratulations to the scholarship students, their parents and their teachers.

Massive congratulations to all those who have studied successfully for their GSATs and particularly to the TBF scholarship winners. Each one of you is a true inspiration.

Recognition must also go to Karen Kennedy and her TBF board for the sterling job they have done in raising funds for these awards, particularly in this testing economic climate.

Congratulations to Viking for having two daughters win scholarships. Congratulations also to Anath and Eleni.

Congratulations to all the winners! Keep up the good work!

I would like to extend a hearty congratulations to all the Scholarship Awardees. You have done well and should be proud of yourselves. As you continue on your journey never forget to include the Lord in all your ways, trust me you can't do it alone.

I also want to thank the many donors who have contributed to this, a worthy cause. As a scholarship recipient myself, it has been of great benefit to me. Therefore I encourage you to continue to donate to this foundation; no matter how small it may be, it does a lot. Thanks again!!

The Board of Governors, Principal, Staff and Students congratulate the sixth grade GSAT students for yet another milestone in their lives.

To the four scholarship recipients, we share in your joy.You had set a goal; one which was high, and through dedication and hard work you are now reaping the joys of success.

We would also like to thank the parents who have given us their continued support. To the Board of Directors of Treasure Beach Foundation, we specially recognize you for making this scholarship a reality. You have worked tirelessly and we would like you to know that your effort is highly appreciated. To Rebecca, we thank you for always being there to capture that special moment when the scholarship announcement is made. Finally, to everyone who has shown recognition or has donated to this worthy cause, we thank you most heartily.

How nice to see these words of appreciation from Miss Zane Ebanks, Principal. Who may I ask is on the Board of Governors.

Miss Ebanks you have said it all.Beautiful young ladies. I wish them all the best on their long journey ahead.
Their teachers and parnets must be so proud.

Thess scholars should be proud for what they have done. God blass them.

GSAT Government Scholarships: Prep Schools Dominate:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Prep-schools-dominate-GSAT-scholarships