Nelissa Edwards takes GWSF Scholarship for 2023/24

Her interview with the Selection Committee was well received and Nelissa Edwards was unanimously awarded the Gillian Whylie Scholarship for the academic years 2023/24. A resident of the Jones Town community in downtown Kingston, Nelissa showed much poise and maturity as she wooed the Committee with her bold and visionary responses to their questions.  A Grade 11 graduate of Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls, Nelissa has successfully completed the CSEC examinations gaining six distinctions and two credits from the eight subjects attempted.

She will now move forward and seek success at the CAPE level of her educational journey at Wolmer’s.  “During the school year 2022-2023, I put a great deal of effort into taking CSEC Spanish and therefore I would consider it an honour to receive this scholarship, as it will significantly lessen the financial strain on my family while I’m in sixth form. Additionally, being fluent in the language would help me interact with native speakers more effectively,” said the confident Wolmerian.         

Financially, it is a struggle for her mother, Paulette Harris, to fund her daughter’s education.  “It will significantly lessen the financial strain on my family while I’m in sixth form.” the proud Nelissa announced.  The scholarship valued at JM$180,000 over the two academic years will cover Nelissa’s tuition and other related expenses.   

The Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund (GWSF) is a registered and certified charity organization with an objective to promote the education and vocational training of Jamaican students with special emphasis on students pursuing studies in Modern Languages.  The GWSF was formed in honour of Gillian Lewis Whylie, who was a graduate of St. Jago High School, Wolmer’s High School for Girls and CARIMAC at UWI. She was a linguist and at her passing six years ago, was the President of the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque, the French organization in Jamaica that promotes French language and culture. 

Genesis-Joy Rachel Madden awarded UWI Scholarship for 2023/24

She showed poise; she was confident; she clearly knew what she wanted to achieve and her results were exceptional.  Genesis-Joy Madden impressed the Selection Committee at her interview and the decision was unanimous to award her the Gillian Whylie Scholarship.  Genesis-Joy will pursue a BFA degree in Animation in the faculty of Humanities and Education at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in 2023. The scholarship is valued at JM$200,000. 

The graduate of St. Andrews High School for Girls was elated at the news of her award. “It is an incredible honour to be chosen as the 2023 recipient of the Gillian Whylie Scholarship and I thank you for your amazing generosity in my future.” the beaming young lady pronounced. From the hills of St. Andrew, Genesis-Joy was worried as to how to fund her tertiary studies.  With a special needs sibling in the family, her parents were hard-pressed to support her further education.   

“With this degree, I aim to forge my own place in the animation industry and be instrumental in creating a space for creatives who bring light to Jamaican stories.  Though this is a passion of mine, I had previously worried about how I would be able to bring it to fruition as I am not in a place to fund my tertiary education.  However, thanks to this scholarship, I can begin my journey to achieving this dream.” the grateful awardee said. 

Having obtained a creditable 4 distinctions at the recently concluded CAPE examinations at St. Andrews High School, this young lady is well placed to go on and to make a mark on the animation industry in Jamaica.  Congratulations Ms. Madden!  

NOTE:

For further information, please contact:

Executive Secretary – Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund
24 Charlemont Avenue
Kingston 6
Tel. 876 864 2644
E-mail: gwfund@yahoo.com
GWSF Website:  www.gwfund.org