Firestone Awards More Scholarships to Liberian Student

The Management of Firestone Liberia on Thursday, August 25, 2011, held an   award ceremony for over 90 beneficiaries of its ongoing scholarship program for the academic year 2011/2012. The ceremony took place at the Harbel Field House in Harbel, Margibi County.

Serving as the keynote speaker during the colorful occasion was Mr. Dan J. Adomitis, President Firestone Natural Rubber Company.  He told the audience that the scholarship program is not just about Firestone or Margibi County, it is an event for all of Liberia.

“Some people think that Firestone just benefits Margibi County. And while it is true that we do a lot here in Margibi County,  we are glad to be an important part of this community, we are also part of Liberia” Mr. Adomitis noted. He further expressed happiness to be part of this scholarship award ceremony.

The Firestone Natural Rubber Company President furthered that the scholarship program is to fulfill part of Firestone responsibility to the country and to see that the benefits falls throughout Liberia.

He described the occasion as a great one because the only division one student in the country in the administered examinations of the West African Examinations Council(WAEC)  who came from the Firestone Liberia Senior School was one of the scholarship recipients.

It can be recalled in June of this year, the Management of Firestone Liberia commended Student Saidu Konneh for his brilliant performance in the WAEC Exams and his studious attitude exhibited during his educational pursuit at the Firestone Senior High School.

Mr. Adomitis then commended the administrative and instructional staff of Firestone Liberia School System for their achievement by producing the only division one student in the Republic of Liberia. He also praised the scholarship recipients for demonstrating great skills, intelligence, and ambition to win the scholarship awards. 

Speaking on behalf of the parents of the scholarship students, Mrs. Sarah Yardammah, mother of one of the recipients lauded Firestone Liberia for their assistance to them through the scholarship program for their children.

She recounted Firestone Liberia numerous contributions to Liberia in the socio-economic development of the country. She named the construction of the modern housing units, the erecting of hand pumps within and outside the concession area, the provision of educational and medical facilities for its employees and their dependents, among others.

Madam Yardammah described the investment operations of Firestone Liberia as a great contribution to the Government of Liberia poverty reduction strategy, saying management has provided job opportunities for Liberians.

For his part, the President and Managing Director of Firestone Liberia, Mr. Charles E. Stuart, thanked the students for participating in this year’s scholarship program. Mr. Stuart believed that it was not an easy task for the students during the academic year, but urged them to always be studious as they are the future leaders for Liberia. He also thanked the parents who stood by the students during their academic sojourn.

Earlier, the Auditing Manager of Firestone Liberia, Mr. Austin Swett provided the background of the Firestone Liberia Scholarship program.

According to Mr. Swett, in 2008 Firestone Liberia awarded scholarships to 121students, 137students benefited in 2009, while 110students received same in 2010. For the academic year 2011/2012, 96 students were proud beneficiaries. The program is aimed at benefiting deserving Liberian students from all around the country.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of his fellow scholarship recipients, Student Kollie Tokpah, Firestone Liberia Senior High School 2011 Valedictorian said the most admirable of the many contributions of Firestone Liberia to the people of Liberia in his view is the scholarship program.

He said the Firestone Liberia scholarship program is timely because taking into consideration the limitation of resource and financial constraints faced by their parents, Firestone Management is providing them scholarship from primary education to undergraduate studies.  He then called on his colleagues to take full advantage of this glorious opportunity in enhancing their educational sojourn provided by the company.

The well attended program was graced by the presence of Margibi Representative, Saah R. Gbollie, Firestone teammates, parents/guardians, family members and well wishers of the honorees, among others. Following the awards program, a sumptuous dinner was tendered in honor of the recipients by the company.