The Sanmerna Foundation, under the leadership of directors Robert White and Mark White and alongside Project Manager Paige Dixon, has disbursed $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries to the top-performing students of the 2025 Primary Exit Profile examinations at Balmagie Primary School.
Located in the underserved community of Waterhouse in St Andrew, Balmagie Primary continues to rise above challenges and produce outstanding academic performers. This year, six brilliant students emerged at the top of their class, securing places at some of Jamaica’s most prestigious traditional high schools, including Immaculate Conception High, St Andrew High School for Girls, Kingston College, Wolmer’s Girls, and St Hugh’s High School.
Each student has been awarded a full scholarship or bursary that will support them throughout their entire high-school journey, provided they maintain a B+ average or higher — a condition emphasised by Robert White, who also serves as chairman of the Balmagie Primary School board.
According to Paige Dixon, “Sanmerna Foundation has been providing scholarships since 2017, and many of our recipients have gone on to do incredible things.”
She noted that Orville Daley, a former Balmagie student from Waterhouse who was supported by the foundation, is now an intern at Microsoft, while also volunteering in robotics programmes at Hillel Academy and AISK. Another past recipient was recently accepted into Yale University in the United States with the foundation’s backing.
“The truth is, this is just the beginning for these children,” Dixon said. “They are the cream of the crop, and we believe in nurturing excellence early.”
This year’s top achievers include:
Shakeilia Cunningham and Chelcea Robinson, both tying for first place with an outstanding overall score of 370; Faith Williams (366), Karessa Marshall (362.2) and Okito Clarke (360).
Additional commendations were given to students who excelled in specific subject areas, including Krisan Campbell who stood out in mathematics with a score of 347; Shakeilia Cunningham and Williams who tied for top performance in science; and Clarke and Chelsea Robinson who excelled in the ability test.
Williams also topped social studies while Cunningham led in language arts.
Parents and guardians attended the presentation, with many moved by the support offered to their children.
Britania Williams, sister of scholarship recipient Faith, expressed gratitude.
“I was also a top student when I was at Balmagie, but I didn’t receive this kind of help. I’m so thankful that my sister lives in a time where organisations [help to] ease the back-to-school pressure.”
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