WIBCA recognizes academic excellence

The West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) presented three West Island teens with scholarships at the community group’s 26th anniversary banquet, held on Sept.13.

Nabitha Kanagaratnam and DeCarla Clarke, both 17 and winners in the high-school category, each received $300. Elodie Santos, 19, won the $500 CEGEP category prize.

“It’s to encourage them,” said Peter Nwafor, secretary of WIBCA’s scholarship committee. “It’s not so much the money. It’s the recognition of their efforts toward their education.”

Kanagaratham graduated from Riverside High School with one of the top three highest averages of her graduating class. A gifted math student, she managed to maintain an average of 100 per cent in Mathematics 536. Now studying Science at Marianopolis College, she plans to attend med school and become a cardiac surgeon.

Clarke, a Lindsay Place graduate, followed a challenging curriculum in the Enriched Learning Program, and consistently remained on the honour roll throughout her high school years. She also found time to play on the girls’ soccer team and participate in annual Black History Month shows. She is currently enrolled in the Health Science program at Vanier College.

Santos, an avid basketball player, is pursing her studies in Math and Science at Vanier College. She impressed the judges with her “demonstrated show of self-confidence” and her ability to “juggle her time between her studies and sports activities.”

In addition to their common passion for science, Nwafor said all three young women displayed a commitment to meaningful extracurricular activities, such as volunteering in the community.

“They’re very well focused on their education and they’re also involved in community activities,” he said.

The scholarships were given in the name of Kenneth Husbands, the late son of Norma Husbands, one of WIBCA’s founding members. Kenneth was actively involved with WIBCA, particularly in the area of youth development. He died suddenly at the age of 44 following an epileptic seizure.

The young women who received the scholarships this year are now part of WIBCA’s mentorship program. They will be paired up with adults who have volunteered to share advice and guidance about their professions, to help them make informed career choices.