Treasure Beach Foundation started awarding competitive scholarships to promising students in 2006. Since then, we have awarded a total of 30 scholarships.

Our first two graduates are Mederana Williams and Dave Lloyd, and we could not be more proud of their accomplishments.

Each of these exemplary students took the time to write us letters of thanks. Please take the time to read what they each had to say.

From Mederana:


Mederana Williams, June 2011



Mederana Williams, June 2006

Dear Mrs. Kennedy and the Board,

Five years ago I sat the GSAT hoping with all my heart that I would be placed at the Hampton School, a school I knew would present me with the right challenges to maximize my potentials. I also knew Hampton would be a costly school to attend and that, with my humble background, I would probably not be able to afford it. Just when I thought my dream would be crushed my principal approached me with the answer to my prayers; a scholarship would be awarded to the individual who scored the highest on the GSAT. I knew this was my only hope and so I prepared myself as best as I could for the examination and I wasn’t disappointed. I had scored 92.1% on the GSAT, the highest in the school. I had won the scholarship.

Today I sit here; a month after my graduation, filled with pride because I have fulfilled my dream. These have been the five best years of my life so far. I have made friends and foes alike, I have formed lasting bonds, had countless experiences that will help to shape the person I will become in the near future and most of all, I have learnt priceless lessons that will help me immensely in my later years. Had it not been for this foundation, my dream would have been just that: a dream and nothing more.

I was well aware that to continue receiving the scholarship would mean hard work and dedication and I was more than willing to pour my heart into it. The requirements of this foundation helped me to persist when all I wanted to do was give up; they reminded me to do first that which I had to do before I could do that which I wanted. I made a promise that I would continue to make the foundation proud and I sincerely hope I have succeeded in doing so.

I would advise all students of Sandy Bank Primary to do try their best to be the next recipients of this scholarship. Not only does it lessen the financial burden on your parents but it also helps to motivate you to do your very best. It teaches the value of dedication and integrity.
I will be eternally indebted to this foundation for they have helped me to be the best that I can be by enabling me to see my dream come true. As I go on to continue my education I will always remember the kindness of all those individuals who have aided in the formation and success of this foundation. I thank you all sincerely. May God pour His richest blessings upon you.

Mederana J. Williams

From Dave:



Dave Lloyd, June 2011



Dave Lloyd, June 2006

Dear Mrs. Kennedy,

I sincerely hope you and your family are well. I'm now a graduate of Munro College =)!!

The valedictory service was on June 26th. After all the hard work it felt good to know that I had made it thus far. I'm extremely proud to know also that I am one of the first scholarship recipients who made it to fifth form. I am truly indebted to you and all the other members of the board of directors. The TBF scholarship really had an impact on me both financially and mentally. It gave me another reason to try and do my best. You have been an inspiration to me and I will never ever forget your kindness and thoughtfulness. I had never told you but I always look forward to your hugs and I felt proud each time I stood beside you and see how tall I have grown.

I have applied for 6th form at Munro but getting in depends on my performance on the CSEC examinations. If I do get in, my plan is to do Accounting, Information Technology, Management of Business and the compulsory subject they assign to you. During this time, I'll also be preparing for the SAT exam in October or November. When that is over and I get my score, I'll start applying for universities. Right now I only have two in mind (University of Central Florida and Florida International University). Hopefully everything can work out as planned.

Until then I'll stay focused on the present. Summer is here and I'm still seeking a job for the summer. CSEC results will be out mid August.

Sincerely,
Dave

We wish to thank all those people who have made these notable achievements possible: the students’ families, teachers, and headmasters who provided continuous guidance and encouragement over the years; all those who contributed to Treasure Beach Foundation via financial donations; all those who bought villa raffle tickets; and all those who showed their generosity by donating use of their villas, airport transport, boat trips, massages, meals, and other offerings for our villa raffles. We also thank our dedicated Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, none of whom have ever received a cent for their services, counsel, and advice.

As people have said over the years: “It’s all for the children.”

We ask you to continue to support our work in whatever way you can—large or small. Without your assistance, this program would not be possible.

Absolutely wonderful - congratulations to the graduates and to all who made it possible, especially Karen and Peter Kennedy and the TB Foundation!

Wow, really really great!

Congratulations Mederana and Dave, I noticed Dave has applied to six form and also planning to do the SAT Test, Maderana could you please tell us what your plans are. Mrs Kennedy and the Board, your help is greatly appreciated.

This is such a wonderful thing to see in the community! I remember my teacher saying to me

'The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night'

I truly believe that with hard work, and the right opportunities success can be achieved. Please continue to support this good cause, and give more young people in Treasure Beach an opportunity to excel and achieve their dreams!

Please post 'HOW' readers of this forum can contribute to the Treasure Beach Foundation and the young people of Treasure Beach! Much congrads & respect for everyones efforts.

Congratulations! This is a major achievement about which we should all be very proud. I look forward to learning about the continued success of Mederana, David, and all of the other outstanding students of Treasure Beach.

Congratulations to Mederna and Dave. The best way you could thank the Treasure Beach Foundation would be to continue to pursue even greater successes and then, more importantly, to give back to the community in some meaningful way and never forget where you came from!

By the way, Mederna, we look at a lot more than just the GSAT scores when we award the scholarships. You earned it by demonstrating a variety of skills and accomplishments, as have the other recipients. Keep up the good work all!

Joe Bailey, Board Member
Treasure Beach Foundation

Excellent. Congratulations to you both. Supporters of the Foundation and the scholarship program are actually supporters of the individual students who work so hard and achieve so much! It's an honor.

Seeing this really makes my day. Congratulations to both Mederna and Dave! What a lovely inspiration for all of us!

To Jeannie from BC and others, look to the masthead for a link to "Community Groups" and click on Treasure Beach Foundation to find out about all the ways you can contribute to this very worthy cause.

To make an online donation (in any currency) to our scholarship fund, please go to www.TreasureBeachFoundation.org and click on the "Donate Now" button. You may contribute any amount you wish, either on a one-time basis or on a continuing basis. It will be charged to the credit card of your preference. This is a secure site. (We never see your credit card information.)

To make a donation by check (U.S. checks only), make your check out to Treasure Beach Foundation and mail it to:

Karen Kennedy
11124 Rich Meadow Drive
Great Falls, VA 22066

We are a 501 c(3) foundation, and most people who donate to us are able to use their contribution as a tax-deduction.

We also encourage you to "like" us on our Facebook page.

Finally, to get on our mailing list so you'll receive notices of villa raffles and similar, please send me an e-mail by clicking my name at the beginning of this message.

Correction please...The photo at the botton is not Dave Lloyd...Thank You

Congratulations Medederana and Dave. It's very thoughtful of you to give us a progress report.It shows what children can achieve with the right support mechanism in place.Continue to aim high and don't be distracted from your ultimate goal. This is an excellent advert for supporting the Treasure Beach Foundation;long may it continue.And to all the recipients don't ever forget your community.

Congratulations to these two fine graduates. May your stars shine brightly forever.

Brilliant programme!

I can't tell you how wonderful it is for me to read this story and see how much Mederana and Dave have achieved in their lives so far.

Living in England, over the last week or so our news programmes have bombarded us with stories of widespread youth riots and looting in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham ... I feel very sad indeed about all that has happened in my country.

But it is people like Mederana and Dave, their families and friends, and outstanding youth support and education programmes such as those provided by Treasure Beach Foundation, which are really going to make a positive difference to this world. It is vital that we do everything we can to support them.

Mederana and Dave, long may the two of you blaze a trail for those that follow you and long may you represent your peers in such a positive way.

Hearty and well-deserved congratulations to you all from one who still has every confidence in the vast abilities of our younger generation.

Our congratulations go, of course, to the two graduates, but this is a good opportunity to congratulate and encourage the current scholarship holders still at their studies. They are the graduates -- and leaders -- of the future. I strongly support the foundation and its scholarship program. After all, literacy is seditious.

Congratulations to the two graduates! Take pride knowing you provide inspiration to the students coming up behind you.

bobo ski watten .

proud of the young lady and the MC gentleman.

what is bobo ski watten? Is that a jamaican saying?

Very happy to see that education is progresing, that is the only way to advance in life and get anywere...keep it up

I had tears in my eyes reading the letters from Mederana and Dave. CONGRATULATIONS to each of you and I have no doubt that your future is as bright, hopeful and inspirational as you are right now. We are all so, so proud of you!
I am so grateful to Karen and Peter Kennedy for initiating this wonderful scholarship program which obviously makes such a monumental difference in these students' lives. They have a future that probably was not possible without it. And, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute and make such a big difference in someone else's life.

Congratulations to these two outstanding graduates, Mederana and David!! Well done! I see you both are going to continue to follow your dreams. Your hard work and self discipline will no doubt carry you through to accomplish many wondrous things and make the world a better place! Many, many thanks to the Treasure Beach Foundation for making this all possible! Without the hard work of Karen and Peter, all the board members, all the teachers and contributors, none of this would have happened. I am so proud of you two graduates and all the people that contributed to your success and the success of the program!!!

It is so good to read happy news here. May God bless these two fine young people and all who have supported them throughout the years.

Hi Not Understanding, I myself did not understand the phrase, so out of curiosity I started making enquiries. A Munro Student told me it's a historic Munro phrase.

To Not Understanding, bobo ski watten is part of a silly Latin cheer at some little school called Munro College!

To: T/Beach.net...Cannot understand why the WRONG PHOTO was place as Dave Lloyd and thats not him...Please correct!! (Thats the bottom photo )

We're reached out to Karen Kennedy asking if the picture is correct or not. She has been very busy but will take a look soon.

{UPDATED}
Karen just sent in the correct picture and its now posted above. (If you're seeing the old version, you may need to REFRESH the page or empty the browser cache). Sorry for any confusion.

-TBNet

To Concern - You are right. The photo was definitely incorrect, but this was my responsibility, not that of TB.net. I am embarrassed that I made the mistake because I know both young men quite well, and I apologize for any hurt feelings. I have now sent the correct photo of Dave to the Webmaster, and I have been assured this photo will replace the wrong one.

Congratulations to Mederana and Dave. I am really proud of your achievements.Thanks to the Treasure Beach Foundation for their commitment to education in this community. Karen Kennedy I believe that you are now seeing your dreams for education in this community materializing.Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do for this beautiful community.

I did not notice the mistake because I do not know the young man in question. I must note I am impressed with the scholarship program AND the fact the head of that program is willing to take responsibility for a mistake. Taking responsibility for ones actions is a valuable lesson that should be passed on to all the scholarship students as I believe it is a mark of maturity and humility. No matter how old we are we never cease learning. Thank you for all you do, Miss Kennedy.

As a Munro Old Boy, I take pride in seeing the youngsters from my home town excelling, especially at the two schools mentioned here. Dave I wrote a congratulatory post to you when you were awarded your scholarship and I know your mom, whom I run into once in a while, must be so proud of you. Keep on excelling.

I would be remiss if I ended without lauding Miss Kennedy for her unceasing efforts in aiding the youth of Sandy Bank Primary. Last but not least, congratulations to Miss Zane and her staff for the great work they do.

Excellent results from these young people. Hearty congratulations. Will they be going on to Sixth Form?

To the best of my knowledge, each of them will be going on to Sixth Form. They each had excellent results on their CSEC exams. (Of the eight subjects, each of these students received five 1s--which is marvelous.)

Oh my goodness how time passes so quickly! Congratulations!! Congratulations!!! Your hard work has paid off!

God bless these students.