Monique Thompson gets inaugural Trevor Berbick Scholarship

Monique Thompson, a student at Norwich Primary School in Portland, is the first recipient of the Trevor Berbick scholarship valued at $35,000 and will be attending the Titchfield High School. The presentation was done at the school on Monday, August 8.

Trevor Berbick is a former world heavy weight boxing champion who was murdered near his home close to a church in Norwich, Portland on October 28, 2006.

Beverly Beasley, Trevor’s sister said the scholarship is in honour of her brother.

Monique was selected based on the results of her Grade Six Achievement Test and the request that the scholarship be awarded to a student from Norwich.

 “We gave the school the criteria that the student must be academically qualified and be from the community. This is out of a commitment from the funeral and the family to do this as Trevor would be happy to get this done. Trevor will be particularly happy as he loved the country, was progressive, loved his family dearly and the people in his community. We will try to make this an annual affair.

“This is the first scholarship on behalf of Trevor and his family” Ms. Beasley said.

Monique, who was overjoyed with tears said, “I highly appreciate this and will never forget this and will do my best at school”.

She scored full marks (12/12) in the communication task; 92% in Social Studies and high marks in Mathematics, Science and Language Arts.

Trevor’s nephew, Harold Berbick, was found guilty of his uncle’s murder on December 20, 2007.

His alleged accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was found guilty of manslaughter.

Both were sentenced on January 11, 2008.

Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison, while Gordon was sentenced to 14 years in prison.