Two students pursuing studies at the Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts will be recipients of the second annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Scholarship, to be presented in November.

Proceeds for the scholarship were from donations of nearly $6,000 (US) raised at the second annual community cultural tribute in honor of the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) who passed away at last year July. Miss Lou died in Toronto, Canada, where she had resided for more than a decade. She was 86 years old.

The cultural event organized by the Jamaica Folk Revue, a Florida-based Jamaican cultural organization, was recently held at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in North Miami,

The scholarship which is tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts is in its second year and will be awarded to two students pursuing studies in music and dance.

The annual cultural tribute is the brainchild of Mrs. Norma Darby, Director of the Jamaica Folk Revue and featured performances from local Jamaica talent here in South Florida. Performances included a wide range of poetry, prose, dialect, song and drama – all reminiscent of Miss Lou and her style of entertaining.
According to Mrs. Darby, it was necessary to honor the life and legacy of Miss Lou who had made immeasurable contributions to Jamaica’s cultural development, “and had given to us all a sense of dignity, authenticity and pride in the country’s heritage and culture,” she added.

Two students - Mr. Dayon Gray and Miss Vennessa Gardner – pursuing drama studies at the institution were the first recipients of the scholarships presented last year November.

Mrs. Darby is hopeful that the scholarship recipients would use the opportunity to study the life and work of Miss Lou, throughout her illustrious career as a poet, playwright, comedienne, actor and lyricist, “so that they can continue to keep her legacy alive,” she said.