80 Students Across Belize Awarded S.S.B. Scholarship

Classes will be back in session soon and eighty students from across the country are returning with the security of knowing that their tuition is covered. Today, the Social Security Board hosted its annual Scholarship ceremony where students from high school, college and vocational technical schools gathered at the Biltmore Plaza to receive their awards. These scholarships benefit children with financial need and have shown dedication to their studies. New’s Five’s Britney Gordon attended the ceremony today to meet some of the happy recipients. Here’s that story.  

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting  

Every parent wishes for their child to have access to the best education possible, but it is an unfortunate reality that many struggle with affording the cost of tuition, amongst other bills and responsibilities. For eighty students across the country, that burden just got a little lighter after receiving the annual Social Security Board Scholarship. 

 

Javier Simmons, Scholarship Recipient 

“Honestly, I was pretty ecstatic, because it releases a burden off of my grandmother, you know. We aren’t that most rich family, as people would say. So it really helps us a lot and helps me to further pursue my goals and aspirations in the future.” 

 

 

 

The SSB has been granting the children of Belize scholarships since 2001. Since then, over one thousand primary and secondary school students have benefited from the award. This year, two hundred and twelve candidates applied to receive either associates, bachelors, or vocational technical scholarships. CEO Deborah Ruiz says that it is a highly competitive opportunity. 

 

 

 

Deborah Ruiz, CEO, SSB

“We look at the deserving, you know? That persons who are struggling to meet their day-to-day commitments and are able to still maintain that enthusiasm. And we see the grade and the effort is there that they will do well in school.” 

 

 

 

 

Twenty-three-year-old Fernando Landero is studying to become a chef in San Ignacio Town and is balancing school and work simultaneously. He is grateful for the opportunity.

 

Fernando Landero, Scholarship Recipient

“I’m currently focusing on that. I’m doing school and work. So it’s a challenge, but at the same time, I’m trying to focus a lot more in school so that I get this done.”

 

 

 

 

Reporter 

“Would you say this is a life changing experience for you?”

 

Fernando Landero

“It actually is, and I believe it’s also for many of us that receive the scholarship because at times we struggle as. As young adults and whenever these opportunities come, we do have to take advantages of it.” 

 

 

 

Ruiz explains that the board tries its best to ensure that recipients are selected from across the country. Fourteen-year-old Laura Davis wants to be a lawyer and now, with the scholarship, she is one step closer to achieving that dream. She will be attending Our Lady of Guadelupe High School in Belmopan. 

 

Laura Davis, Scholarship Recipient

“My mom was happy to receive a for me to get a scholarship because she wasn’t gonna know how she was gonna pay for it. But I’m glad I got this scholarship, so she doesn’t have to worry.”

 

 

 

 

The scholars left the award ceremony with a feeling of pride, having earned the award and parents a sense of security, knowing their child would be able to receive the education they deserve. 

 

Britney Gordon

“How has the reception been from them when they heard that you’re going to be receiving the scholarship?”

 

Javier Simmons

“They’re more happy than me. My grandmother included. She was, I don’t even know how to describe it, but it was really, really wonderful finding that out to be honest.” 

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.