CIBC facilitates back to school

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Bank manager and staff during last week's check presentation.
Bank manager and staff during last week’s check presentation.

Four successful Common Entrance candidates found a ready sponsor in CIBC FirstCaribbean. The Bank, which has committed to supporting the cause of youth, youth achievement and education in Saint Lucia has stepped forward to relieve the pressure from the families of these worthy students whose hard work and impressive performance have inspired the Bank’s offer of support.

Nicholas Toussaint, Shanells JnBaptiste, Destini Deligny and Tchai JnBaptiste excelled in this year’s Common Entrance Exam which earned them a place at the St. Mary’s College, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Micoud Secondary School and Castries Comprehensive Secondary School respectively. The CIBC FirstCaribbean scholarship programme is an annual initiative by the bank that facilitates parents and students with the purchasing of school supplies. In selecting candidates for the award of scholarships this year, a deliberate focus was placed on spreading the support across the island; another was academic excellence. In that regard, this year’s recipients originate from Beausejour, Gros Islet, Bexon, Soufriere and Cantonement Vieux Fort.

Country Manager for CIBC FirstCaribbean, Mauricia Thomas-Francis noted, “A core function of our operations at CIBC FirstCaribbean is being able to enhance and make a lasting impression on the lives of persons in our communities. This year we have particularly focused on impacting the education of our young people. Not only providing scholarships to these four promising students, but also through our Adopt-a-Cause Programme, where our employees have assisted schools with refurbishing and preparing for the start of the new school year.”

Mrs. Francis also noted the significance of the scholarship for both students and their parents “Without a doubt, each year, there is additional pressure for parents to provide all that is needed for their children to have a productive school year. Our aim with these scholarships is to facilitate the provision of
school supplies ensuring that students are well equipped throughout the year.  We plan on maintaining an on-going relationship with our scholarship students; we want to see them excel in their studies and flourish in extracurricular activities during their formative years.”