JOSÉ MARTÍ Technical High School student, Sanique Roberts, is well on the way to achieving her ambition of becoming a nurse.
The upper-sixth-form student is the recipient of the JMcKay Collection Award, granting her a full scholarship to pursue the nursing programme at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Manchester.
The scholarship was awarded by Jamaica-born registered nurse in the United States and past student of the St Catherine-based school, Jillianne McKay Burrell, who owns the medical uniform brand, JMckay Collection.
Roberts said she was “shocked but excited” when her name was called as the scholarship’s award recipient during a recent ceremony at the school.
“It was such a good feeling that I was getting this scholarship to go to this university, because it is very expensive,” she added.
Roberts, who is a top student in sports, said she knew she wanted to join the healthcare profession from she was about eight years old.
“I have relatives who are in the [health] field. My aunt is a nurse and she inspired me to become a nurse from a younger age … because she was such a good nurse,” she said.
Expressing gratitude, Roberts said that the scholarship will alleviate the financial burden on her mother.
“She has been doing so much for me and I appreciate it so much. Thank you, Mom,” she said, while assuring her teachers that “I will not let you down.”
Science teacher at the school, Shanice Laing, said that Roberts is a good student with strong work ethics.
“You can always count on her to get things done with excellence and punctually,” Laing said.
Scholarship donor, McKay Burrell, said that she wanted to help an aspiring nurse on their career path.
She said that the support is not only financial, noting that it also includes mentorship.
McKay Burrell, who is completing a PhD programme focused on healthy lifestyle, said that nursing is a calling.
“You can’t be in this profession just because of the love of money or it is a well-paid job. It is something that you have to be passionate about also because it comes with challenges and you have to be prepared for those challenges,” she said.
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