7 News Belize

Postcard to a Scholarship
posted (July 15, 2015)

Today 9 students received high school scholarships as part of a post card program. These students submitted their art pieces and those depictions were all transformed into postcards. The money earned from the sale of those post cards was used towards the scholarship program – so these students pretty much got back what they put in. Today a ceremony was held at the Department of Youth Services and the students told us how significant this scholarship is for their high school experience and for their future in art.

Sabrina Daly - Coordinator

"It is pretty much it's kind of like a body where it has a branch. So the primary school arts skills training is a programme that is specific for primary school children. It's basically where these children get to express themselves in art. It also has a branch that has been launched her today which is the postcard programme - where these children also have a effect on their funding for their education. I think it's really neat because they have an impact on their future where they create art pieces and turns into postcards and it's sold and the money generated is used for their education. There's also scholarships given to them. I think it's something that these children actually get a sense of independence and entrepreneurship because of marketing where they create their own work and they have to put that passion in it. To let it be sold to someone else, to appreciate it as much as they did.

Courtney Weatherburne

"First of all tell us about the postcard programme, how is that for you?"

Jaheem Rosado - Scholarship Recipient

"Well it was tough a little bit because we had to work hard to get it."

Courtney Weatherburne

"Tell us about the work you did. We understand that you guys are apart of the postcard programme right? And you guys worked along with it. Tell us about the pieces you guys actually created - the postcards."

Jaheem Rosado - Scholarship Recipient

"Well it was out of our mind. We had to think hard to get the idea. We trained to do it, they taught us a lot and it helped us. "

Ancha Rodriguez - Scholarship Recipient

"I was not in the postcard, I was a face painter when I was in St. Joseph, I face painted and out that you get a little bit of money about thirty percent of a hundred. And that's what I got for the scholarship."

Courtney Weatherburne

"So tell us how you got into face painting?"

Ancha Rodriguez - Scholarship Recipient

"First of all, since I was small I use to like painting and drawing and so. So when I went to St. Joseph instantly I wanted to be in the art club."

Courtney Weatherburne

"How significant will this scholarship be for you? And of course for your family heading into high school?"

Ancha Rodriguez - Scholarship Recipient

"I will be going to SCA since I've graduated primary school. So I think about half of this would be for school and books since that's very expensive. And maybe for the rest I'll just put it up or buy myself a little thing."

Victor Lopez - Scholarship Recipient

"My teachers were talking about this art programme and I asked them what it is about. Then they gave me an application and I filled it in and one week after I started coming to this art class and my art skills developed even better. From a scale of 1 to 10, I was at like 4 but when I came to this art class I reach a level of like 7 to 8. We ain't that rich or nothing like that, so yes it will be a big burden to take off my mom's shoulders. It has a sentimental feeling that you are helping your parents do something for you and it's feels really good that you're helping yourself out by doing something you love."

Amauri Amoa - Scholarship recipient

"I was very excited, I feel so happy."

Courtney Weatherburne

"So now, how did you get into the programme?"

Amauri Amoa - Scholarship recipient

"I was in the programme already but I was in Holy Redeemer school and Ms. Verna was my art teacher already and so she told me they were having this pilot project. And I was like okay then, so she invited me and I went and it was no nice."

Courtney Weatherburne

"From since early primary school you've been apart of the programme right?"

Amauri Amoa - Scholarship recipient

"Yes ma'am. My mom is not working but my dad does work so it's really a good help for me that I get this scholarship to help me with my high school fees."

Each student got different amounts depending on their submissions. Overall, $2,100 was put towards the scholarship program for the kids.

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