Burger King has presented over J$4 million in scholarships, bursaries and grants to 30 recurring annual recipients and to 23 new students moving up from primary to secondary school and secondary school to university this year.

Addressing a presentation ceremony on September 1, Sabrena McDonald Radcliffe, Head of Sales and Marketing of Restaurant Associates Limited (RAL), said that the company was pleased to “upsize the academic combos for children with great potential but also great financial challenges”. 

Since 2001, the Burger King scholarship programme has awarded over J$50 million to 300 students. This year, in addition to over 11 long-standing Burger King tertiary scholarships, grants and bursaries, they also presented the Little Caesar’s University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Scholarship.

In the primary category, 12 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) scholarships and book grants were awarded. 

Noting that this year the company received over 1,100 applications for scholarships McDonald Radcliffe explained that “each year, the process of selecting the final awardees going on from primary to high school has been aided by the Ministry of Education and Youth who rank the applicants based on their grades and help ensure that those in need receive the assistance they deserve.”

McDonald Radcliffe urged the awardees to “commit to being the best students under the sun in the same way that the BK Whopper is the best-tasting burger under the sun”.

“Best has a lot to do with the choices you make in how you will approach life, setting the bar high for yourself and committing to getting up each time life knocks you off your centre or knocks you down; to try to do what is necessary to reach the standard you have set for yourself,” she continued.

McDonald Radcliffe also shared some steps for “achieving their powerful potential” advising awardees, “write down your vision of what you want to be and how you want your life to be; set goals each term that will get you closer to your vision; ask for help from your parents, guardians, teachers, friends if you are having difficulty and never quit.”  

Among recipients of the 2021 Burger King scholarships, bursaries and grants were:

Nastassia Singh, Lois Sherwood scholarship: Graduating from St Andrew High School to The UWI Mona – Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery Degree in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Danielle Brown, Lois Sherwood grant: Graduating from St Andrew High to The UWI Mona – Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery Degree in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Nevrona Campbell, Lois Sherwood bursary:  Final-year student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts – Bachelors of Art in Drama in Education.

Travis McDonald, Lois Sherwood grant: Final-year student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts- Bachelors of Art- Arts Management.

Raheem Buckley, Rodwell Lake scholarship: Graduating from St George’s College to The UWI Mona -Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Geography in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Jabarai Campbell, Rodwell Lake grant: Graduating from St George’s College to The UWI Mona – Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Geography in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Saevion McFadden, Burger King open male scholarship: Graduating from Ardenne High School to The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Law in the Faculty of Law.

Xyair Brown, Burger King open grant: Graduating from Campion College to The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Economics.

Jade Simmonds, Burger King open female scholarship: Graduating from Campion College to The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Law in the Faculty of Law.

Mickhalia Thomas, Burger King open female grant:  Graduating from Campion College to The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Actuarial Science in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Grace-Ann Lacey – Burger King open female grant: Graduating from Campion College to The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery degree in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Kai Clarke, Little Caesar’s UWI Mona scholarship: Final-year student at The UWI Mona, Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering.

Burger King’s PEP scholarship recipients:

Jordanna Williams, graduating from Excelsior Primary and Infant School to Immaculate Conception High.
Rhianna Roberts, graduating from Kensington Primary to Campion College.
Monique Nolan, graduating from Southborough Primary to Campion College.
Alsunae Brown, graduating from Alpha Primary to Campion College.
Amielia Logan, graduating from Jessie Ripoll Primary to Immaculate Conception High.

Burger King PEP book grant awardees:

Amira Parker, graduating from Kensington Primary to Immaculate Conception High.
Jaliyah James, graduating from Southborough Primary to Wolmer’s High School for Girls.
Kiandra McNab, graduating from Mount Airy All-Age to Westwood High.
Jerisa Clarke, graduating from Wait-a-Bit All-Age to Albert Town High.
Ethan-Lance Williams, graduating from St Richards Primary to Campion College.
Tyreke Blackwood, Valda Ormsby scholarship: Graduating from Kellits Primary to Clarendon College.

PEP staff scholarship:

Tyrese Thomas crowned ‘Top Boy’: Graduating from St Jude’s Primary to St Georges College.
Sahari Fowler named ‘Top Girl’: Graduating from Davis Primary to Old Harbour High.