By Nelson A. King
After a two-year hiatus, in
view of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Brooklyn-based Trinidad
and Tobago Nurses Association
of America, Inc. on Sunday
hosted a gala Christmas Luncheon
& Scholarship Grant Award
Ceremony at Antun’s Catering
House on Springfield Boulevard
in Jamaica, Queens, honoring
two nursing students.
“A very warm welcome to everyone
on behalf of the Trinidad
and Tobago Nurses Association
of America Inc. (TTNAA) to
their Christmas Luncheon and
32nd Scholarship Grant Award
Ceremony,” said President Thecla
Williams in her introductory
remarks after an ice breaker in
which one section of patrons
sang to “Long Time Na See
Yo, Gee Me a Wine Down,” and
another section responded with
“Hello, Hello, Hello,” struck
up by Trinidadian DJ Clarence
Allen.
“I am delighted to be here
in person considering the trials
of the last two years,” Williams
added. “Absent makes the
heart grow fonder, as frontline
workers, families and friends in
the room — everyone has been
touched personally and professionally
ATTENTION JOURNALISM STUDENTS
ARE YOU A COLLEGE STUDENT?
DO YOU KNOW A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WANTS TO EARN $2,600 THIS SUMMER?
Paid Summer Internship Positions Available
The New York Press Association Foundation is sponsoring a
paid summer internship at this newspaper for a qualified journalism student.
Any student currently enrolled in a recognized journalism program is eligible to compete for an internship with a
net $2,600 stipend provided by NYPA. Applicants must attend college during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Don’t delay! Application deadline is March 1, 2022.
www.nynewspapers.com
Caribbean Life, D 26 ecember 17-23, 2021
by this pandemic.
“As the current president, it
gives me great satisfaction in
seeing some of our longtime
supporters, and I am very happy
knowing that we did survive
those dreaded two years.,” she
continued, stating that the association
was delighted in hosting
the Luncheon and Scholarship
Ceremony, despite the challenges.”
Williams said the annual
scholarship has supported
many nursing students in their
last semester in their respective
nursing programs, so they
can in continue their education
“stress free.”
In addition, she said that her
group mentors nursing students,
enabling them to better transition
to “practice and beyond.”
“This year we have two intelligent,
goal-oriented students,
who were selected by the Educational
Committee,” said Williams,
identifying them as Kerissa
Jennil Thomas and Shania
Antoine-Gill. “The association
looks forward to continuing with
the scholarship program.”
Thomas and Antoine-Gill,
who were not present at the ceremony,
received the Phyllis Mills
and TTNAA scholarship award,
respectively.
Williams congratulated
the scholarship awardees, and
extended a hearty “thank you” to
the dignitaries, elected officials,
supporters, family and friends
for their continued support.
“Without you, there would be
no us,” she said. “Remember, we
all are in this together. Together
we aspire, together we achieve.”
The TTNAA president said
community health services and
education remain “an indispensable
function” of the association,
disclosing that, this year,
the group donated laptops to
“worthy students” in Trinidad
and Tobago, “so that they can
continue their education in a
virtual environment.”
From left : Sherise Warner-Rollock receives scholarship
award for Shania Antoine-Gill, TTNAA President Thecla
Williams, Dr. Patricia McLean, and Meika Sarzano received
scholarship award for Kerissa Jennil Thomas. Photo by Nelson
A. King
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic,
Williams said TTNAA was
unable to partake in any health
fair but continued to educate the
community in its monthly meetings
via Zoom.
“I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all the
members of TTNAA for their
gracious support of me in this
new role,” she said. “A special
thanks to the Social and Educational
Committees, who have
come forward with persistence
to make this gala a success.
“Allow me to thank Mrs.
Maudlyn George, who repeatedly
took on the role of assisted
secretary for another term,” she
added.
Scholarship awardee Thomas
said her mother, as a single parent,
“did everything possible to
ensure I was cared for, never
went without, and that I experienced
all that life has to offer.”
T&T nurses honor two
nursing students at gala
Opportunity is Knockin’!
PA New York Press Association
F O U N DAT I O N
Application forms available online at:
click on NYPA click on Internships
McManus
FUNERAL HOME
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
SERVING THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY WITH
LOW COST FUNERAL PACKAGES
Before choosing a funeral home
We invite you to visit our newly decorated chapels
And compare our affordable pricing and dedicated service
������������������������������www.mcmanusfh.com
4601 Avenue N (at E. 46 St.)������1 Block off of Flatbush Ave.
/www.nynewspapers.com
/www.mcmanusfh.com
/www.nynewspapers.com
