Basseterre, St. Kitts – As the TDC Group continues to celebrate its 50th Anniversary activities, the company has launched the Warren Tyson Memorial Scholarship Public Primary Schools Tour, to showcase its longstanding academic excellence initiative.
On Monday 24 April, Mr. Crios Freeman, a 1994 inductee, made the first in a series of school visits to his alma mater, the St. Paul’s Primary School, on St. Kitts.
In speaking to the student body, Mr. Freeman shared his fond experiences by detailing his journey from the receiving the good news about his selection, the impact of the financial support through his tertiary schooling, the on-the-job training, and the value of the mentorship component of the programme.
“As a recipient of the scholarship the individual will have the advantage of being ‘looked after’ as well as being assigned a mentor, a member from the company who is able to provide you with guidance. This scholarship and its impact on the country will have to be measured, but for me it was an enormous opportunity because maybe I would not have made it through school like I did without the guidance and financial support from TDC,” said Freeman.
He continued, “It was seven years of real fulfilment and assistance from TDC. I have to give gratitude to TDC for the guidance and support it gave to me. Besides the monies on an annual basis that assisted me with school, school supplies. As an athlete, as a debater, TDC gave me great assistance.”
The young lawyer ended his talk by challenging the students with a question-and-answer session. Three (3) of them walked away with cash prizes, two with one hundred ($100) dollars each, and the third a seven hundred- and fifty-dollar (EC$750) donation towards his first year at secondary school.
In closing, Freeman also presented Mrs. Joyce Rawlins Buchanan, Principal, with a token of appreciation in the form of a TDC Voucher valued at five hundred dollars (EC$500), which would be used support the advancement of school-based programs to benefit both, the staff, and students.
Over the next six weeks other alumni will make their own presentations, which are all being held under the golden anniversary theme, Your Neighbour, Your Partner, Your Future.
About the TDC Warren C Tyson Memorial Scholarship Programme
The TDC Warren Tyson Memorial Scholarship program, was named after the first Chairman, Mr. Warren C. Tyson, a staunch advocate for education, was started in 1981. The program is designed to assist and support students entering the secondary schools across St. Kitts and Nevis.
These young scholars are eligible to receive financial assistance throughout their secondary and tertiary school tenures. Students are also afforded the opportunity to work at TDC during their vacations, e.g., Easter, Summer, and Christmas, as well as, on Saturdays, which helps to develop social and professional skills.
Another related benefit is the fact that these students also receive a stipend while at work. Accordingly, the financial and academic benefits plus the experience and maturity that are gleaned from this opportunity are invaluable. Since its inception, approximately 257 students have gone through the program.
Today, some of these Warren Tyson Corporate Ambassadors are at university pursuing further studies or are full time employees within the Company, many who hold Managerial and/or Supervisory positions across the TDC Group.
Picture – Mr. Crios Freeman, Warren Tyson Memorial Scholar speaking to students at the St. Paul’s Primary School as part of the TDC Warren Tyson Memorial Scholarship Programme Public Primary Schools Tour