Queen’s College student Glinton Hanover has won a two-year, CDN$80,000 ($16.5M) scholarship to the Lester B Pearson College, Canada.
According to a release from the college, Hanover was among 15 Guyanese students who were interviewed this past March for the one position available to a Guyanese student.
An excited Hanover told Stabroek News yesterday that first and foremost he must thank God since he believes that his overcoming of certain situations related to the scholarship was nothing less than a divine blessing.
The youngster who attends the Church of God of Prophecy said that he never expected to be blessed with such an achievement. He stated that he had planned just like most high school students to attend the University of Guyana. He planned to pursue the field of Medicine.
He was subsequently told by a church sister of a site where he could secure a scholarship to study abroad and all he had to do was to fill up an application form to secure a chance at an interview.
Hanover said that at first he saw it as a great opportunity but had some doubt in his mind as to the possibility of him being selected. However he finally decided to begin the process.
What he said was ‘God at work’ was him actually being able to submit his application since the form required information on his educational background which could have only been provided by his former school. This, he said, caused him to miss the submission deadline. At that point he was about to give up hope but received word that the site had reopened for late applications. His mom, he said, was now the one who had to encourage him to continue to pursue the opportunity and on the final night of the extended deadline he and his church sister sat and completed his application form and finally submitted it.
He said that what he believes sealed the deal was his essay response to the question of how his being granted this scholarship would benefit Guyana. In the essay he expressed the desire to return home to work and he wrote of the love he possesses for his country.
Hanover says that all the experience and education he gains from his exposure will serve to touch every Guyanese person possible once he returns.
His advice to youths preparing to leave school is to never give up as he does not see himself as the best. He asserted that once they work after something and the opportunity meets the correct preparation their dreams can be realized.
In January of this year, the college had announced that it was inviting local high school students to apply for a two-year scholarship programme at its Vancouver campus.
The release said that Hanover, will be arriving at the College in September 2012 to undertake the College’s two-year course of studies leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Glinton, who comes from the East Coast Demerara, will be one of 160 students from nearly 100 countries chosen for their exceptional promise and potential.
The release added that as with all students at Pearson College, Glinton will receive a full scholarship worth CDN$80,000 over two years which covers tuition, room and board.
Glinton, the release said, was “chosen for this prestigious scholarship for his outstanding academic performance in his CXC and CSEC (completed as a student at Saint Stanislaus), community service, sports achievements as a track record holder and musical talent (drums) as well as his demonstrated kindness and generosity for his fellow human beings. This spirit of service is key for a Pearson Scholar, as the College hopes its graduates will return to their home country to serve to the best of their abilities.”
Hanover will be Pearson’s first student from Guyana.
He was interviewed this past March by Suzanne Tremblay, Special Projects Manager at Pearson College, Professor Kunar and Professor Thompson of the University of Guyana and Carol Anne Persaud of the High Commission of Canada in Guyana.
The College said it was grateful to Priya Manickchand, Minister of Education; Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam; David Devine, High Commissioner of Canada in Guyana and the personnel of the High Commission for their support on this mission.
Pearson College UWC is a two-year pre-university school (Grade 12 and Gap Year) for up to 200 students from over 100 countries who live, study and grow together at the edge of the western world.
