PETER and Company Distribution (PCD) rewarded 18 students with scholarships last week while celebrating the memory of a beloved employee.
Ricardo Leonard, a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who worked with the company for 21 years – from January 1 1997 to January 31, 2018, was known for his unwavering commitment to PCD.
Although he is deceased, Leonard is remembered fondly at PCD. To keep his memory alive, and to celebrate the achievements of students throughout the island, the Ricardo Leonard Awards Ceremony was created.
According to Juan Bailey, the company’s new CEO, Leonard valued hard work, education and self-development immensely.
“He believed firmly that anyone could achieve remarkable things if they invested in their personal growth. He was a generous man with great vision and we as a company are proud to honour his legacy through these scholarships. The awardees are selected from the children of our employees who are studying at either the secondary or tertiary level and are awarded based on merit,” Bailey explained last Saturday.
“This ceremony gives us the opportunity to celebrate the awardees and congratulate (them) for having the belief, commitment and discipline to become high academic achievers. It makes all members of the PCD family proud when we see the children of our very own employees performing well in their studies,” he said, adding that “we cannot forget the parents who have no doubt been pillars of support during (their) academic journey.”
Students’ testimonies captured the extraordinary work that PCD is doing. Twenty-three thousand dollars were funnelled into the scholarships overall.
Arian Eugene, a student of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, said the scholarship represents “the profound impact that such opportunities can have on both the recipient and their families.”
It also allows her to pursue her education “without the constant burden of financial stress,” she said.
“Before, my parents had to work extra hard to provide money for my school supplies, books, school fees, shoes, new uniforms and even extra lessons. With this financial support, all my school expenses have been covered and this is why I’m so grateful for this scholarship. Being a continuous recipient has benefited me and my family profoundly,” the student said.
Another recipient, Onora Cherubin from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School, said the scholarship “has allowed me to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. This opportunity has been a great motivation for me pushing me to do my best in my academic endeavours. Overall, (the) scholarship has been a pivotal factor in my educational journey and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity provided. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained to make a positive impact in the future.”
Theodore Ragnanan, Operations Manager at PCD, said it was “a true honour to gather here today to celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievement of our incredible students. Each one of you have shown a remarkable commitment to your education and a passion for excellence that deserves to be recognized. Today we celebrate your accomplishments, the power of education, and the potential of young minds. We hope that our support empowers you to pursue your dreams and make a positive impact on our world. As you embark on this academic year, remember this scholarship is not just financial support; it is a vote of confidence in your abilities and your future.”
The awardees also participated in an essay competition with Shannia Clifford from Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School emerging as the winner.
“The students were asked to write a short essay on how they see (themselves) as (leaders) in the future. It was judged by some of our managers here and one lucky winner will win a laptop, a laptop bag and a mouse just to help (in) the future (since) they have a lot of research to do,” Carlyn Lamontagne, PCD’s HR Team Lead told THE VOICE in an interview.
The Ricardo Leonard Awards Ceremony was held at Peter and Company’s Cul de Sac location last Saturday.