CANA’s Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester Chapter hosts scholarship luncheon

The Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester Chapter of the Caribbean American Nurses Association (CANA), Inc. on Saturday hosted its 26th Annual Vernese Weekes Scholarship Luncheon at the Eastwood Manor on Eastchester Road, Bronx.

During the gala ceremony, the group presented $1,000 scholarship to Mariel Walcott, whose father was born in Trinidad and Tobago.
It also presented Community Service awards to Jamaican-born school teacher Donna Anglin and Congressman Jamal Bowman, and CANA Award to Jamaican-born retired registered nurse Elaine Mills-Ford.

“It is with a deep sense of pride and commitment that we welcome all of our distinguished guests who have supported us so diligently over the years. Welcome back to our 26th Annual Vernese Weekes Scholarship Luncheon,” Dr. Virginia Bernard, RN, the Jamaican-born president of CANA’s Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester Chapter told the opening ceremony.
“We missed you. It has been a turbulent two and a half years since we all felt the heavy weight of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added. “This year marks the 26th Annual Vernise Weeks Scholarship Luncheon and the organization has awarded 56 scholarships since its inception to students who are attending college.

“Of course, this would not be possible if it were not for your continued and generous support,” Dr. Bernard continued. “Thank you for helping us to keep this organization solvent and relevant. Our objectives are to increase the involvement in our student’s education, develop health programs for the community, recruit new members and increase the participation of current members. Congratulations to the scholarship recipient and honorees.”
Walcott thanked “God for allowing me to be here today” and CANA committee members for scholarship award.
“My father was born in Trinidad and came to the USA in his late 20’s. My maternal grandparents were also born and raised in Trinidad. Although I was born in New York City, I consider myself a ‘Trini’ through and through,” she told the ceremony.

Walcott said her inspiration for nursing started “while spending many days with my mother in the pediatric emergency room at Bellevue Hospital where she worked as an RN for many years.
“I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.,” she said. “Getting accepted into nursing school was a dream that I was not sure I would achieve,” she said. “Although the journey is challenging, I know I’m headed in the right direction. Thank you.”
Walcott has obtained an associate degree from Nassau Community College and bachelor’s degree from Keuka College, with honors in American Sign Language Interpreting.
After she received her bachelor’s degree and worked at her first freelance job interpreting for deaf individuals at medical appointments, Walcott said she knew that nursing was something she still wanted.

Anglin was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, where she began her teaching career 26 years ago, is a graduate of Mico Teacher’s College (now Mico University).
She received her BA from The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and her MA/MS from The City College of New York.
Anglin currently teaches at Belmont Preparatory High School, in District 10, the Bronx.
She expressed thanks to CANA’s BMW Chapter for the recognition.
“To my family, who’s here today, you’re the wind beneath my wings,” she said.

Mills-Ford, who dedicated over 40 years of service to the nursing profession both in Jamaica and the United States of America., was born in the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica.
She studied at Kingston School of Nursing in Jamaica, and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of New Rochelle.
Mills-Ford worked at the Linstead General Hospital and Spanish Town General Hospital in Jamaica before migrating to the US, where she worked at Mount Vernon and Bronx Lebanon hospitals.
She said she worked for 25 years in emergency nursing until retirement.
A member of the Bronx Manhattan Westchester Chapter of the Caribbean American Nurses Association, Mills-Ford presently serves as recording secretary.

Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D., represents New York’s 16th District, which includes the Northern Bronx and parts of Westchester County, including Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon.
Bowman was born and raised in New York City, spending his early years in public housing and rent-controlled apartments.

He was raised by his mother, who supported them with her post office worker’s salary.
After graduating from the University of New Haven, Rep. Bowman began his career as a crisis intervention teacher in a Bronx public school and went on to earn a master’s degree in guidance counseling from Mercy College and a doctorate in education from Manhattanville College.

In 2009, Bowman founded Cornerstone Academy for Social Action (CASA), a Bronx middle school focused on unlocking the natural brilliance of all children through a holistic curriculum, where he served as principal for a decade.
At CASA, Bowman worked to center students’ voices, cultural awareness, and love.
He said he worked to ensure advanced student involvement in science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Bowman has also been an outspoken advocate for rethinking education, including ending state-sanctioned yearly standardized testing.

Bowman was elected to Congress in 2020, running on a platform of transformative progressive policies that will improve the lives of those who have been legislated out of the American dream.
Congressman Bowman said he is “dedicated to passing visionary policy that infuses climate justice with economic and racial justice, and to highlighting the importance of research and investing communities of color.”
Bowman lives in Yonkers, New York, with his wife and children.

Vernese Weekes, RN, after whom the scholarship award is named, was born in Barbados. She departed this life in 1994.

“In remembrance of her dedication and outstanding service to mankind, this memorial scholarship was established in 1995 by the members of the Bronx, Manhattan,Westchester Chapter of CANA, Inc.,” organizers said.
They said Weekes was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in the Bronx.

Funding for this scholarship is from the annual fundraising luncheon, and is awarded to undergraduate nursing students who meet the criteria.

The ceremony also featured, among other things, keynote address by retired Public Health Nurse District Manager, Antiguan-born Ingrid Baptiste, and fashion show, “Glamour and Culture”, presented by Baptiste’s daughter, Malanie Okpaku, a lawyer.
Models comprised among registered nurses Claudette Shakes, Pamela Griffin, Alex Sampson, Marlene Robinson, Ingrid Baptiste, Cora Kobel, Malvin Groce and Lorna Ferreira.