Technical students break through as 2026 National Scholars 

Accounting and culinary students named 2026 National Scholars

By Admin. Updated 7:07 a.m., Friday, November 13, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Two students from technical and vocational programmes are among the eight young people named National Scholars for 2026. That shows the top awards are not reserved for CAPE high-flyers alone.

Acadia Charles and Tamiah Williams were recognised as technical scholars at the 2026 National Scholarship Programme Award Ceremony and Cocktail on Thursday (November 12). The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hosted the event, and the Agency for Public Information (API) carried it live.

Like the six CAPE scholars honoured alongside them, each of them will receive a university scholarship for five years.

In past years, students from the Division of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) received mainly bursaries and exhibition scholarships. This year, the two students have earned full national scholarships.

The two share more than the award. Both are past students of the St Vincent Girls’ High School, and both went on to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC).

Charles earned her place with a GPA of 3.92 in Business Studies (Accounting). She was also the 2026 valedictorian of the college’s Division of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE).

Her journey began at the Barrouallie Government School. From there she went to the Girls’ High School, where she graduated on the Honour Roll.

The college said that, along with her grades, she showed exemplary conduct, attendance and punctuality throughout her studies. She also served as Vice President of the Inter Schools and Colleges Christian Fellowship (ISCCF) at the DTVE, a role the college said helped her develop as a leader and team player.

Away from the books, Charles has a creative side. She enjoys makeup artistry, nail art and baking. According to the college, she believes success starts with dreaming past your limitations and having the drive to turn those dreams into reality.

Williams was recognised for a GPA of 3.81 in Culinary Arts. She studied at the Hospitality and Maritime Training Institute (HMTI), which at the time was part of the SVGCC’s DTVE. HMTI has since been granted autonomy. It remains part of the college but now operates as a separate, independent division with its own Dean.

She attended St Mary’s RC School before moving on to the Girls’ High School. At HMTI she quickly made her mark, winning several internal awards during her programme.

Her scholarship is a strong signal for the hospitality sector, a field more often linked to hands-on skill than to national academic honours. It comes at a time when tourism keeps growing in importance to the Vincentian economy.

The Government praised all eight scholars for their discipline, dedication and perseverance. It said their success should inspire other students and shows what the nation’s young people can contribute to national development. It also congratulated their parents, guardians, teachers and everyone who supported them.

The other six scholars qualified through CAPE. Kyrah Sargeant was named Top National Scholar and received the Prime Minister’s Gold Medal Award.

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