November 11, 2019
Understanding at an early age that she wasn’t going to be defined by her circumstances and obstacles, Natalie Chattargoon refused to stay on the ground when knocked down.
Giving up without a fight isn’t in her DNA.
Homeless for a year because of a domestic violence incident, Chattargoon sought shelter from the abuse.
In the 21 years she has resided in Toronto Community Housing, violence and despair surrounded her.
“Instead of succumbing to the negativity, I was driven to be a change-maker in my community,” said the first-year Humber College Social Work student who was presented with the Mary Anne Chambers scholarship at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) 17th annual awards ceremony on September 21. “I always wanted to be amazing and be part of Black excellence.”
With a desire to become a photographer, Chattargoon bought her first camera at age 14.
“I remember being so excited as I waited for the photos to be developed,” she said.
The urge to take quality photos inspired Chattargoon to upgrade to a newer camera.
“I worked a paper route to get the money, took photos of friends and family and created an album,” she recalled. “When I got to high school, I was encouraged to take up photography professionally which I did.”
The Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute graduate photos have been published in the ‘Globe & Mail’ newspaper and displayed in public spaces across the city.
Mary Anne Chambers and scholarship recipient Natalie Chattargoon
Chattargoon’s drive, resilience and positive approach to life caught Chambers’ attention.
“In the face of adversity, she rises and shines,” the former provincial cabinet Minister said. “I have no doubt that with this kind of attitude, she will excel. I have always felt that for my scholarships, academic excellence is a given. What I am looking for is the rest of the picture. What motivates the individual to do well, to overcome adversity and press on full force? In the case of Natalie, she has the academic credentials, but there is this relentless drive to give to others.”
In high school, Chattargoon amassed 500 hours of volunteer service and was rewarded with an Ontario Trillium Pin. The required hours needed to graduate is 40.
“It just seems to me that her generosity exceeds normal expectations,” added Chambers. “The variety of things she has done in such creative ways while volunteering is just amazing. How do you get there when you have a life of challenge and there seems to be no bitterness?”
Nearly $30,000 in scholarships was distributed among 29 recipients. The cohort included Jamaican international students Sherika Nelson, Peta-Gaye Simon, Deandre Sutherland and Devon Hunter.
Working on a Scotiabank/Inter-American Development Bank-funded project that supported small businesses in developing a risk-rating model piqued Hunter’s interest in finance.
“While facilitating training for 100 businesses to use technology to expand, one of the things I learned that really stood out is that the biggest impediment is access to capital for community broadly,” said the third-year University of Guelph-Humber student who graduated from Titchfield High School and is a Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund Director. “That drove home to me the importance of figuring out how to recalibrate elements of the financial sector, systems and operations so as to get money into our spaces.”
Devon Hunter (r) & Mark Lawson who presented a scholarship on behalf of the HILCO
Mark Lawson, a Managing Partner at Clermont Capital Partners and Regent Park Film Festival Director, presented the Hugh & Ilene Lawson Charitable Organization (HILCO) scholarship to Hunter who has a Master’s in Communication Studies from the University of the West Indies.
The HILCO was established to create expansive and inclusive educational opportunities for young men and women that do not have the financial resources to pursue higher education.
“My dad was an active JCA member and it was important for us to maintain his legacy,” said Lawson who played football at Western University where he graduated with Statistics and Master of Business Administration degrees. “As a first-time donor, we are excited to give back.”
Spending almost three hours daily commuting to school never fazed Sutherland who is a second-year student in York University’s Bachelor of Arts-Economics program.
Deandre Sutherland
The JCA Past Presidents Scholarship winner graduated from Hampton which is one of the oldest boarding schools in Jamaica, having being founded in 1858.
“I wanted to be the first in my family to attend that school and nothing was going to prevent me from doing that,” said the former Head Girl who gained distinctions in 13 subjects at the 2016 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams. “The long journey to and from school didn’t bother me because I either slept or read while I was on the bus.”
Sutherland’s father is a farmworker in the United States and her mother is a manager with St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation. She aspires to be an Actuary.
While researching public health promotion, Canada kept popping up on Nelson’s computer.
“I wanted to pursue higher education outside Jamaica and I learnt that Toronto has a strong Jamaican presence, so I figured I would be right at home here,” said the Centennial College student.
Sherika Nelson
Working in public health and policy development is Nelson’s career goal.
“I want to gain some experience in Canada before returning to Jamaica to apply my knowledge because there’s a need for me back home,” said the Immaculate Conception High School graduate who was the recipient of the Western Union Canada scholarship.
In her second semester in Lambton College’s Advanced Project Management & Strategic Leadership program, Simon’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is already at 90 per cent and she expects that to rise.
“When I was looking at where I could further my studies, Canada seemed like the right place and, so far, I am happy with the choice I made,” said the Holy Childhood High School graduate who completed an Associate Degree in Business Studies at Excelsior College.
Peta-Gaye Simon
Simon plans to do a second degree in Psychology and become a professional volunteer.
After a five-year hiatus, spoken word artist Nadine Williams presented her second scholarship to Angelo Grant who is in McMaster University’s Bachelor of Health Sciences program.
The aspiring surgeon and Ontario Scholar is a published poet.
“I set out the criteria and the arts was one of them,” Williams said. “It’s great to see that someone who is in the Sciences is also passionate about poetry, writing and community service.”
Angelo Grant and scholarship donor Nadine Williams
After donating $25,000 to the JCA to kick-start the scholarship program in 2003, philanthropist Dr. Ezra Nesbeth set up a foundation to help Black students achieve academic success. He has donated over $350,000 in the last 17 years.
York University Bachelor of Health Science/Health Management student Chelsea Watson was the recipient of the $4,000 scholarship. She completed the Kinesiology & Health Science program, graduating with a 7.0/9.0 cumulative GPA.
Scholarships were also presented to Ryerson University students Kehinde Thomas, Anaya San Vicente, Imani Busby, Katrice Bent and Nahom Wondimu; Janeve Edwards, Abigail Holmes, Tamae Vassell and Shantel Wilson who are at the University of Toronto; George Brown College’s Theatrical Arts student Renisha Henry; Ontario Scholar Aneika LaFayette who is pursuing Child & Youth Care Studies at Humber College; Leadership By Design program graduate Brianna Glanville-Forrest who aspires to be a Psychiatrist and Joshua Thomas who has a passion for Actuarial Science.
Other award winners were Humber College students Janel Shepherd, Keiosha Green and Ashana Dublin; McMaster University Automation Engineering first-year pupil Trejan Lennard; Rianna Cassie who is enrolled in Laurentian University’s Criminology & Psychology program; Rofiat Olusanya who is studying Criminology at Carleton University and University of Guelph-Humber Family & Community Social Services student Taejah Noble.
Bursaries donated by the family of former JCA president Audrey Campbell were presented to 13-year-old twins Anara and Arianna Osbourne who are enrolled in Hilltop Middle School French Immersion program.
This year’s theme was, ‘A Legacy of Excellence’.
“When you look at our 29 recipients, they demonstrate excellence in every way,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Yolande Davidson who is a Policy Manager with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services.
Almost $610,220 in scholarships have been awarded to 529 students since the program was established.
In the keynote address, York University English Professor Dr. Modupe Olaogun told the recipients they are valuable assets that the world needs.
Dr. Modupe Olaogun
“You also need the world because you can be lonely out there in a space of excellence,” said the Commonwealth Scholar. “You are part of a gifted and talented collective that is poised to make unique contributions.”
Five years ago, Olaogun and her husband, Barrington Morrison, lost the eldest of their three children – Omotayo Morrison – to a vehicular accident in St. Lucia where he was pursuing medical studies.
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© 2017 Ron Fanfair
