Five students of the Nelson Street Boys Roman Catholic school became the 2019 recipients of the Lance Aaron Lashley Memorial High School Scholarships.
But if Laventille West Member of Parliament Fitzgerald Hinds has his way, a sixth student will also be receiving a scholarship as well.
In the second year of the event, Emmanuel Antoine, Kemani John, Malachi London, Dominic Redhead, and Sihon Horsford, all fifth standard students of the school, received the scholarships at the Government Campus auditorium on Friday.
Named after former police officer Lance Aaron Lashley, the scholarships are awarded to students from East Port-of-Spain who have shown academic potential.
Lashley during his lifetime had provided financial support for students from the area who had needed assistance.
The retired detective Inspector died in 2016. His relatives have continued the initiative he started.
Antoine, John, London, and Redhead received full scholarships, which saw them receive a laptop computer, and $2000 vouchers to assist with the purchase of books and uniforms. Horsford acquired a partial award which offered a voucher in the amount of $1,200 to help purchase books and uniforms.
Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General, Fitzgerald Hinds, said while he knew Lashley as a police officer, he did not know that Lashley had provided support for students of East Port- of -Spain, and pledged that he would sponsor a sixth scholarship next year.
“I did not know this aspect of Lance, I didn’t. That he took the time in the middle of all that hard crime fighting to look out for the youngsters of Laventille and in particular the Nelson Street boys. That is a really touching exercise. And therefore on my own part, I would like to pledge some contribution to this scholarship going forward to add another recipient to the memorial award,” said the Laventille West Member of Parliament.
Hinds was a featured speaker at the event, along with Queen’s Royal College Principal David Simon and Deacon Mikael Trestrail, the priest assigned to the Nelson Street School.
The Deacon said he too had been a recipient of a scholarship in the Ministry of Education, and it had impacted not just his life but many others.
“That investment in my life has now become an investment in many other lives. And so as you give to these young men today, you don’t know who you are giving to in the future. I want to encourage you. You’re not just making a difference in their lives, its also in many people to come,” said Deacon Trestrail.
Emmanuel Hamilton, Antonio Francois, and Marcell Vonsee, who were the inaugural recipients were also given $500 vouchers towards the purchase of school supplies and uniforms.