LUCEA, HANOVER
The Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lucea, demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the education and development of its young people as the Education Department awarded scholarships and academic gifts during the inaugural staging of the Education Fund Disbursement Ceremony held on Sabbath, August 22, 2026.
The programme, hosted under the leadership of the church's Education Department, celebrated academic excellence while providing financial assistance to students pursuing tertiary education in Jamaica and overseas.
Opening the ceremony, Mrs. Aleisha Smith-Grant, Education Director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lucea, welcomed members, parents, students and well-wishers. In her remarks, she highlighted the mission of the Education Department and the Education Fund, noting that the initiative was established to help ease the financial burden of tertiary education while encouraging young people to pursue excellence through faith, service and education. The awards segment of the programme was ably moderated by Sis Kerriann Campbell-Matherson, who guided the congregation through the presentation of awards and scholarships.
The church's most outstanding students in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examinations, Adalia Kennedy (left) and Pastor Jacob James (right), pause for a photo with Pastor Owen Grant (centre). :: Photo credit: Contributed
The first presentations recognized the church's outstanding Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students for 2026. Adalia Kennedy, the church's Top PEP Girl, and Jacob James, the Top PEP Boy, were each presented with a tablet sponsored by Mrs. Heatha Miller-Bennett, Member of Parliament for Hanover Western.
Adalia Kennedy earned placement at Hampton High School, while Jacob James secured placement at Rusea's High School. The presentation celebrated not only their academic achievement, but it also encouraged them as they prepare for the next stage of their educational journey.
The highlight of the programme was the disbursement of J$50,000 each to 12 tertiary students, representing a total investment of J$600,000 in the education of the church's young people.
Recipients included students attending the University of the West Indies (UWI), Northern Caribbean University (NCU), University of Technology (UTech), Church Teachers’ College, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Montego Bay Community College, and Anhui Medical University in China.
The students are pursuing a diverse range of programmes, including Medicine, Social Work, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Theology, Guidance and Counselling, and Psychology.
While several recipients attended the ceremony in person to receive their awards, others had already reported to their respective campuses. In those instances, parents and guardians proudly accepted the scholarships on their behalf.
Beneficiaries of the Tertiary awards granted by the Seventh-day Adventist church, Lucea. :: Photo credit: Contributed
First Elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lucea Donovan Hamilton, JP, reiterated the church’s belief in the potential of its young people and challenged the recipients to remain faithful to God while pursuing their educational and career goals.
He encouraged the students to remember the support they have received and, upon achieving their goals, to give back to the Education Fund so that other young people can benefit.
Elder Hamilton also announced an ambitious goal for the programme’s 2027 academic year. The church aims to double the current level of assistance to J$100,000 per student.
He further challenged the recipients to strive for academic excellence, noting that students who achieve a 4.0 GPA will receive an additional incentive of J$100,000, effectively doubling the planned assistance.
“We have a God-given responsibility to cater to the needs of our children,” Hamilton stated. He also appealed to members of the church and members of the wider community who are able to assist the programme.
“I am asking persons who are watching and in the church who can assist this programme to get in touch with us. Let us know how you want to do it so we can make it possible and feasible to join us in this endeavour,” he said.
Mr. Donovan Hamilton, JP, First Elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lucea. :: Photo credit: Contributed
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Jermaine Foster expressed gratitude for the church’s continued investment in the education of its young people.
“Your support has been a tremendous blessing and has helped to ease some of the financial challenges we face as students,” Foster said.
He emphasized that the significance of the programme extended beyond the financial assistance.
“More than the financial assistance, it reminds us that our church still believes in us, supports our education and wants to see us succeed,” he added.
The ceremony concluded with a special prayer led by Pastor Owen Grant, Pastor of the Lucea Seventh-day Adventist Church District. Pastor Grant prayed for God's protection, wisdom and guidance over the PEP awardees, tertiary students, parents and guardians as they embark on the new academic year.
The Education Fund Disbursement Ceremony stands as another milestone in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Lucea's mission to empower its youth through education, faith and community support, ensuring that students are equipped to pursue their dreams while remaining grounded in Christian values.