Guardian Life Limited, through the Guardian Group Foundation, is marking 20 years of investment in educational opportunities for young Jamaicans, having committed more than J$70 million in scholarships and grants and supported 219 students since the programme’s inception.

The milestone was celebrated at Guardian Group Foundation’s annual Scholarship and Grants Awards Ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on August 31, where 46 students from across Jamaica were recognised for academic achievement and awarded scholarships and grants spanning national PEP performance, policyholder awards, community schools, staff awards, branch awards and tertiary studies.

Guardian Group Foundation awarded more than J$2 million in new scholarships and grants to the 2026 cohort, while approximately J$5.6 million will be disbursed this year across new awards and continuing multi-year scholarships.

Among this year’s recipients were Jamaica’s National PEP Top Boy, Neeraj Sahukar, and National PEP Top Girl, Zurie Cousins, along with the best-performing boy and girl from Duhaney Park Primary, Edwards Seaga Primary and Alpha Primary. Scholarships and grants were also awarded to children of Guardian Life employees, while branch awards were presented through the company’s Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Mandeville locations. One scholarship was awarded to support tertiary studies.

Welcoming awardees, families, educators and guests, Debby Livingstone, Vice President – Corporate Resources at Guardian Life Limited, celebrated the recipients’ accomplishments and the potential of the 2026 cohort. She said, “Looking around this room, I see far more than scholarship recipients. I see ambition, drive and limitless potential. I see what happens when hard work meets opportunity, and that is what makes today truly meaningful.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, “Powered by Passion, Driven by Excellence,” Livingstone noted that although the recipients came from diverse communities and backgrounds, they were united by a determination to excel, an ambition that aligns directly with Guardian Life’s longstanding commitment to education and its guiding belief that “investing in young people is an investment in Jamaica’s future.”

That forward-looking message was reinforced by keynote speaker Krystal Tomlinson-Carter, who challenged the students to view their accomplishments as the start of a longer journey, filled with milestones. She said, “I want you all to see high school as the start of your new journey, where you’re all at ground zero. You’ll have the opportunity to create your own story, knowing that it is not where you start but where you finish that truly matters.” 

As Guardian Life enters the programme’s third decade, it remains committed to expanding educational opportunities and recognising young Jamaicans whose achievements, ambitions and potential position them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and to Jamaica as a whole.