Students at ABHTI.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua--The Mill Reef Club has, for the second year, awarded grants to students from the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI).
In 2021, 10 students benefitted from the initiative. This year eight students were assisted, four of whom were also recipients last year. The awardees are Yoneta Rodney, Kiana Marajah, Jessica Ryan, Nia Benjamin, Kerry Prince, Daniella Fenton, Trinity Jennings and Jenna Christian.
When informed about the grant, the students expressed gratitude and shared how the grant has aided them.
Nia Benjamin, who pursued studies in hospitality management, when informed about the grant exclaimed “Oh, my goodness. I feel so happy. Thank you so much. My grandmother told me recently that I needed to pay something towards it.”
Another student who pursued culinary arts, Yoneta Rodney, mentioned that she felt as though a burden had been lifted. “I am so grateful because it feels like a burden has been lifted.”
The father of another recipient was extremely happy and declared “this is time for me to celebrate. I feel like jumping into the water here down by the dock. I was honestly trying to figure out how I would pay the outstanding fees.”
Executive Director of the Institute Ruthlyn Matthias expressed her appreciation to the Mill Reef Club for continuing to partner with the Institute to meet the needs of students and ensure that they are able to successfully complete their chosen programmes.
“I am very pleased that the Mill Reef Club has found it fit to continue to partner with us to support the Institute and its students and to ensure that students are able to complete their programmes, by providing financial assistance,” Matthias noted.
The Mill Reef Club continues to partner with the ABHTI to assist students who perform well academically but are unable to meet their financial obligations to the Institute. The club also partnered with the school to provide 180 laptops for student use in January 2021 when the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic interrupted regular face-to-face classes.
The recipients who are students across various disciplines were chosen using academic standing as well as a financial needs assessment. ~ Antigua News Room ~
