Reanna Bernard said she cried tears of joy when the Vice Principal of Sam Sharpe Teacher’s College announced that she was one of the recipients of the Grantley Green Scholarship, first awarded in April 2026.

When she made her application in late 2025, post hurricane Melissa, using the only available internet at her local fire station, she gave herself little chance of success. But at the time she was deep in debts incurred as a first-year student commuting from Savanna-La-Mar to the college in Montego Bay. Post hurricane she knew there was little chance of financial help from family and church members she had previously relied on, because they had suffered greatly from the storm like most of the population in Western Jamaica. In her mind there was nothing to lose by giving the scholarship a try.

The cost of tuition at Sam Sharpe Teachers College is approximately JA$400,000 per year plus other expenses. Despite potential assistance from the government via the PATH program (up to JA $125,000) Reanna was very uncertain how she would cover her college obligations and be approved to take her year-end examinations. The Grantley Green Scholarship of JA$250,000 came as a lifeline allowing her to pay her tuition and cover past debts.

She was outspoken in her thanks of the Class of 1978 and the Green Family for making the scholarship available as it provides great hope and opportunity for students who face similar financial challenges. It was her hope and prayer that the Grantley Green Scholarship may continue in the future.