Belize Bank awards 16 scholarships, considers expanding Sixth Form programme

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Belize Bank Limited awarded scholarships to 16 students from across the country during its 14th Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony, while announcing that it is considering expanding its sixth form scholarship programme next year.

Ten students received four-year high school scholarships, while six were awarded two-year sixth form scholarships. The awards were granted based on a combination of academic excellence and financial need.

Since the scholarship programme began, the bank has supported 230 young Belizeans, including 140 high school students and 90 sixth form scholars.

Belize Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Filippo Alario told recipients that the assistance should not be viewed merely as charity or financial aid.

“This scholarship is not charity, it is not a favour. It is really an investment,” Alario said. “It is an investment in your future, an investment in your future family, in your current family, in our community and in our country.”

The high school scholarships cover tuition and school fees valued at $1,500 annually, a yearly $300 book grant, essential school supplies and one-on-one mentorship with Belize Bank leaders.

Sixth form scholarships provide tuition and school fees valued at $3,000 annually, along with school supplies, mentorship and career guidance.

Alario explained that the bank aims to cover expenses not met through other sources so that recipients and their parents are not required to contribute financially.

Each scholar is also paired with a Belize Bank manager who can provide advice, encouragement and support throughout the student’s academic journey.

“I think the most important part of this scholarship is the tutors that we put together with the kids,” Alario said. “We pair each one of the students with a manager of the bank so that they are with them and can be available if they need advice or counsel.”

The bank received between 200 and 300 applications from students throughout Belize, including applicants from Punta Gorda, the cayes and the Cayo District.

Alario said selecting only a small number of recipients from the large pool of applicants was one of the most difficult parts of the programme.

He said the bank has been encouraged by the achievements of past recipients, some of whom have attended overseas universities, including Harvard University. Others have joined the Belize Bank and advanced within the institution.

Alario referred to one former scholarship recipient who now works at the bank and recently spent a week in New York receiving training in global payment systems.

He said those success stories have motivated the bank to consider doubling the number of sixth form scholarships awarded for the programme’s 15th anniversary.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes delivered the keynote address and praised the Belize Bank for its sustained investment in Belizean students.

“Education remains one of the most powerful tools to transform lives, to strengthen communities and to build a prosperous Belize,” Cervantes said.

He described the scholarship programme as a holistic investment in the students’ educational, personal and professional development, particularly because recipients are provided with mentorship in addition to financial assistance.

Cervantes also stressed the importance of cooperation among government, businesses, families and communities in creating educational opportunities.

“Partnerships like these between the public and private sectors are essential in creating meaningful opportunities for our Belizean students,” he said.

The minister recognized the parents, guardians, teachers, principals and mentors whose sacrifices and encouragement helped the recipients reach that stage.

He encouraged the students to learn from their assigned mentors, remain curious, challenge themselves academically and personally, and pursue their goals with integrity, discipline and compassion.

The six sixth form recipients are Aaron Bradley, Itzany Montes, Markell Pott, Aliza Doniz, Jaylen Hendy and Ezequiel Blanco.

The high school recipients are Zion Santos, Zairen Carrillo, Kryselle Arjona, Nimrod Fitzgibbon, Juliana Belisle, Khaleesi Neal, Yendi Flowers, Franklin Diaz, Jorge Mancia and Shaquana Ciego.

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