Vice President Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has awarded scholarships to 19 girls of the More Than Me Academy, now called HILLTOP School Incorporated, in fulfillment of a promise she made in August at the girls’ graduation ceremony in Monrovia.
Accordingly, 13 girls will attend the Ricks Institute in Virginia and six others will attend the College of West Africa (CWA) on Ashmun Street in Monrovia until they can complete their high school education.
It can be recalled that on August 14, 2019, VP Taylor said she would be leading a charge to form a coalition to secure a scholarship program for the willing students to attend the Ricks Institute in Virginia.
She explained that, the cost for each girl’s schooling per annum is about US$2,000, which includes the school fees, uniforms and supplies, noting that it is her hope that the students and others will join the endeavor to help them until they can complete high school.
On behalf of the VP Taylor on Sunday, the Security Advisor at the Vice President’s office, Ciatta N. Clarke, said Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor is “very passionate” about girls’ education and she will do everything in her capacity to make sure that these kids get the best education.
“The Vice President asked me to tell you to be focused on your studies, respect the elders, parents and teachers and to be polite always, Advisor Clarke admonished the girls.
She, however, hailed the Chinese Embassy and other donors on behalf of the VP for the immense support given her office to have the girls enter school.
For her part, the Director of Jewel Starfish Foundation, Nowoe Howard, told the students to embrace the opportunity and make good use of it, adding that the foundation of any generation depends on the preparation of the future leaders.
She cautioned the students to manage whatever they have and be content with it, stating that as they enrol in their new schools they should maintain an average of 85 percent which will enable them to remain as beneficiaries of the foundation.
Earlier, the Executive Director of HILLTOP School, Margretta Smith-General, commended the Vice President for coming to the aid of the beneficiaries when they most needed her, noting that further education would have been difficult without the help of Madam Taylor.
She explained that 306 girls at the school have promised to be educated and come back to upgrade District #7 comprising the West Point community as a means of giving back to their country, and this flagship initiative by the VP will help bring their dreams to reality.
She then encouraged the girls to remain committed to their studies and not to bring the image of the school into disrepute.
