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News > Tommy A. Robinson Scholarship Recipient
Jacques Named Tommy A. Robinson Scholarship Recipient Outstanding track & field athlete and college freshman Jenny Jacques is the first recipient of the Tommy A. Robinson Scholarship, a four-year $10,000 scholarship at The College of The Bahamas made possible through the generosity of a group of Robinson's friends. College of The Bahamas President Janyne Hodder made the announcement at a press conference held on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Jacques, a C.I. Gibson High School graduate and a Biology-Chemistry major at The College, has demonstrated her athletic prowess in track & field, volleyball and softball. In 2008, Jacques was named the Most Valuable Player in Volleyball; was a member of the CARIFTA team, competing in the shot put for three consecutive years from 2005-2007; was a junior CAC team member in 2005 and 2006 and became a World Youth Qualifier in the shot put in 2007. She is now a member of The College's varsity track & field team and aspires to a career in Sports Medicine. "This scholarship is an example of how people get together and decide that they want to do something for the next generation in memory of someone whom they love and admire..." said President Hodder.  Jacques said she was honoured to have been considered for the scholarship and was grateful that she was selected as the first recipient. She pledged to excel both academically and athletically. Chair of Friends of the Tommy A. Robinson Committee Alpheus Finalyson said he believed it was important to honour Mr. Robinson as a legend. The group hosted a special tribute event in July and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture supplemented funds raised by committee. "We feel that it is so important that individuals in The Bahamas and in every country pursue careers in sports medicine, nutrition and psychology which takes the sport along, so we are very happy to know that Jenny wants to get involved in that field," he said. The committee hopes to continue raising funds to extend the scholarship to other deserving students. Bahamas Association of Athletics Association [BAAAs] President Mike Sands, also a member of the fundraising committee, disclosed how he had encouraged Jacques to resume her athletic career in track & field after learning that she had quit the sport at one point in high school. His talk led to the young athlete having a change of heart. "For me this is a very special occasion for us to be awarding the first Tommy A. Robinson Scholarship at The College of The Bahamas," said Mr. Sands. "We believe that we have the expertise here and we believe that more of our athletes should stay at home and support COB's programme." It was a sentiment expressed by Robinson himself who spoke highly of The College's exceptional academic legacy. "I trust, Jenny, that while you are competing you will not forget the reason for your being at The College and that is the education. I have always said to athletes with whom I have been in contact that without the education the world sort of closes in on you. I want you to enjoy your days as a competitor," Mr. Robinson said.
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