BGOA donates $36k to students

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The Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA) made the dreams of three young Bahamians a reality for the start of the new school semester with $36,000 worth of scholarships to attend private high schools in New Providence.

The non-profit organization provided top performers from A.F. Adderley – Lance Porter – and Uriah McPhee, Darnell Mitchell and Johnavun Wilson, scholarships to attend Jordan Prince William Highschool, St. Augustine’s College and Kingsway Academy respectively.

The lucky students will receive $4,000 annually toward their education for the next three years.

“I believe this is the first step to show people the public-school children are not always a failure. Sometimes they are financially challenged, but I received a good education in the public school system and I thank them,” Porter shared.

“But, now it is time for me to move on to private school where I will be getting my education from now on.

“I thank all the people that helped me to get here because I had a lot of problems in grade 8 and 9, but now I will show everyone that I will be a success.”

The 2018 scholarship recipients were successful in achieving the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA), which had to be above 3.0.

They would have also had to display exemplary disposition in leadership in other extracurricular school activities.

The scholarship funds are provided through the BGOA’s Adopt-A-School Programme.

Gershon Major, President, BGOA admitted Wednesday that while the gaming industry has been under heavy fire from the government, and while the sliding tax regime is still hanging in limbo; the industry’s corporate and social responsibility will not be adversely affected.

“This is one of those areas that we will keep because, to us, our ability to impact lives – especially young lives that are sitting here today – is what this is all about when you talk about social and corporate responsibility to impact the future,

“So, we will continue to do our best in giving back and hopefully do more types of these initiatives.

“Too often well deserving and talented students within our public-school system who prove that their discipline, focus and hard work, should be rewarded and celebrated in a tangible way, go unrecognized and unrewarded.”

Major touted, “Today we both recognize and reward their results.”

About Theo Sealy

Theo Sealy is an award-winning journalist who serves as senior broadcast reporter and weekend TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. He has achieved several career milestones, including his work as a field contributor with CNN, his coverage of four consecutive general elections, his production of several docuseries and his Bahamas Press Club Awards win for “Best Television News Story” in 2018.