Seventeen year-old Asharn Hodge, a noted player on the National Cricket Team, is the first Anguillian to be awarded a cricket scholarship to undertake formal educational studies.
In recognition of that accomplishment, LIME Anguilla, and its General Manager, Mark Romney, have presented him with a Notebook Laptop as he takes up his scholarship at the Cave Hill, Barbados Campus, of the University of the West Indies.
The presentation was made by LIME Anguilla’s Marking Manager, Jade Reymond, on Monday, January 14. “Today is very special for us,” she said. “We play a very prominent role in the community and will continue to do so by encouraging our youth to be as productive as possible. We take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Asharn Hodge on his acceptance at the UWI as well as his role in cricket; and present him this laptop, courtesy LIME Anguilla and Mr. Romney.
“Mr. Romney was very pleased to be able to present Mr. Hodge with a laptop for his studies, and sends him his very best wishes for success at the University of the West Indies. We know that he will make us proud.”
The 17-year-old student, who passed eleven CSEC subjects, with five grade ones and six twos, in the 2012 examinations, is to study for a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting. “That is a big accomplishment for me,” he commented. “Recently, in sports, I helped Anguilla to win the regional 50-over Tournament so both academics and sports have blended perfectly.”
Asharn, who left Anguilla on Wednesday for Barbados to commence his studies, said he had worked hard as a young cricketer andwas grateful to both the University of the West Indies for accepting him, and the Anguilla Cricket Association for nurturing him and being the source of his scholarship.
Vice President of the Cricket Association, Benjamin Hughes, said that the UWI had offered two scholarships to Anguillian students and that he and his colleagues had decided that Asharn was the best person in line for the first one. The second scholarship is yet to be awarded to another deserving student.
“We are extremely proud of Mr. Hodge,” Hughes continued. “From a very young age he has been playing cricket.His hard work has paid off and now he has been awarded with much success.Asharn is the first Anguillian to be going to college on a cricket scholarship and I know he will do his best. In talking to the people at the college, they said his acceptance was a special one in that his examination grades were so good that they couldn’t refuse him. I wish you well Asharn. I hope you will grab your opportunity with both handsand make your family and Anguilla proud.”
Other persons at the brief presentation ceremony were Asharn’s mother, Celeste Webster, and John Millington, an official of the Anguilla Cricket Association.
