‘The Power of Yet’ was the inspiring theme that guided this year’s Seprod Foundation PEP Scholarship Awards, held on Tuesday (September 30).

The phrase reminds students that challenges are not endpoints, but stepping stones on the journey of growth and learning.

“Yet keeps the door open; it reminds us that growth takes time,” said Seprod Foundation chairperson Melanie Subratie, in her keynote remarks.

Each year, the Seprod Foundation provides scholarships to children of Seprod Group staff members who excel in their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. This year, 40 students were honoured. Thirty-seven received PEP scholarship awards, while the Byron Thompson award, named in honour of past Seprod CEO and current foundation director, was presented to Sydney Duval, the top student of the previous cohort.

In addition, the Granville Marsh Award, given in memory of the foundation’s longest-serving director, was awarded to Leanna Stewart and Amari Durrant, two outstanding students from the parish of St. Thomas.

The programme currently supports over 120 students in total, including 83 returning scholars. Together, this represents an investment of more than J$4 million this year alone in the education and future of Seprod families.

Lisa D’Oyen, executive director of the Seprod Foundation remarked, “‘The Power of Yet’ reminds us that a setback today is not the end. You may not have mastered it ‘yet,’ but with effort and belief, you will. That is the spirit behind these scholarships, to remind you that your journey is ongoing, and the Seprod Foundation stands with you every step of the way.”

CEO of the Seprod Group, Richard Pandohie added, “The most successful people understand that life is a journey. You may not achieve everything immediately, but with determination and curiosity, your ‘yet’ will turn into success. At Seprod, we are a family, and these scholarships ensure our children not only dream, but also have the support to achieve and inspire pride in their parents and community.”

The Seprod Foundation continues to demonstrate its deep commitment to good corporate citizenship by investing in education and nurturing the future of its extended family. By providing scholarship opportunities, Seprod reinforces its vision of growth that is meaningful and sustainable.