Two Vincentian-American students receive scholarships at New York independence gala
COSAGO awarded $2,000 scholarships at its 47th independence anniversary luncheon in Queens, where three Vincentian centenarians were also recognised.
NEW YORK, United States. Two Vincentian-American students received $2,000 scholarships on Sunday, October 25, at the St Vincent and the Grenadines 47th Independence Anniversary Gala Luncheon at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens.
The awards to Dezmonique Duncan and DeLeon Charlet were made by the Brooklyn-based Council of St Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, USA (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian group in the United States, which organised the celebration under the auspices of the consulate general in New York.
The scholarships honour two late founding members of COSAGO, Dollis H. Forbes and Dr Errol G. King. Recipients must be college-bound students of Vincentian heritage with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, proof of college acceptance and financial need.
The recipients
Duncan, who was born in St Vincent and the Grenadines and lives in Temple Hills, Maryland, is studying psychology and plans to pursue neuroscience. "I want my education to become more than a degree," she said.
Charlet, who was born in Philadelphia to a Vincentian mother and Haitian father, addressed the gala by audio, and his parents accepted the award on his behalf. "There are many different ways I try to be a leader in my community, but the greatest will always be by my character," he said.
COSAGO also recognised three Vincentian centenarians: Mitchinson Maurice James, Isabella Rosemund Morris and Haymond Cathipus Thomas.
"Act as one body"
Ambassador to the United States Lou-Anne Gilchrist called the anniversary "a significant milestone in the story of a proud, sovereign country".
"My message to you, fellow Vincentians, is to act as one body, pooling your resources and expertise for the common enterprise of building and uplifting the nation," she said in a message in the souvenir journal.
Consul General Roland "Patel" Matthews said the anniversary was "more than a celebration of a date on the calendar", and paid tribute to past generations. "We stand today on the shoulders of generations of Vincentians who worked under difficult circumstances," he said.
St Lucia Consul General in New York Jeremiah Hyacinth was guest speaker, and soca artist Skarpyon performed.
Celebrations culminate on Independence Day, Tuesday, October 27, with a flag-raising at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan, followed from dusk by the inaugural Lighting of the Hudson Bridge in the national colours of gold, green and blue.
