The Supreme Ventures Foundation (SVF) hosted its annual Pep Up Session for its 20th anniversary scholarship recipients, most of whom are approaching graduation in 2025.
The full day session dubbed ‘Elevate: Empowered for Excellence’ held recently was designed to provide a balanced blend of motivational activities, skill-building workshops and practical resources to prepare the students for life after university. This is the third pep up session being staged for the scholarship cohort.
“It’s not just the scholarship but also these Pep Up Sessions that have kept me motivated,” shared Joshua Gazader, one of the scholarship recipients. “It’s rare to find a scholarship that does so much more than fund your education. I would recommend the Supreme Ventures Foundation scholarships to anyone—it's been a blessing and a lifeline throughout these four years, with the team always checking in and keeping us in mind.”
The SVF Pep Up Session opened with the “Journey Board,” an interactive welcome exercise encouraging students to visualize their career aspirations. Attendees also had the chance to capture professional headshots with Adrian Creary of Studio Craft, a gesture that not only celebrates their academic journey but also prepares them for professional networking.
Warren Thompson, Director of Children and Family Programs at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), underscored the critical impact of these sessions on young people who have faced adversity. “This engagement means a lot for young people who have been in state care and have encountered challenging experiences,” he said. “I only wish opportunities like this existed when I was their age. Branding, networking, managing finances, and navigating social media are essential skills for today’s world. The sessions equip them not just for their careers, but to build a life.”
Throughout the day, SVF scholars participated in several workshops and presentations:
Goal Setting Workshop & Resume Building Session – Including a LinkedIn setup workshop led by Kristopherson Nunez (also known as TheCareerDoc), which offered invaluable guidance on personal branding.
Financial Literacy and Planning – Presented by Anna Palamino, entrepreneur and money coach, providing tools for lifelong financial health. Branding Beyond the Norm – Led by Romone Robinson, owner of Father Bull Restaurant, who discussed unconventional approaches to standing out while adhering to professional standards.
Developing a Winning Mindset – A powerful session by Fraser McConnell, race car driver and JustBet Ambassador, inspiring students to harness discipline for success in their fields.
Discipline in Your Field – Insights shared by Tanya Lee, marketing consultant and head of LEEP Marketing, on building a robust mindset for enduring success.
Monae Williams, another scholarship recipient, expressed how these sessions have kept her motivated through the challenges of university life. “The facilitators’ support throughout this journey has been incredible,” she shared. “Sometimes it gets stressful, but these sessions remind us of our goals. I am truly grateful for this scholarship and everything it’s opened up for me.”
Thompson added that the SVF’s holistic approach to supporting scholarship recipients sets an exemplary standard. “This is more than a scholarship; it’s a life program. Each session offers new perspectives and skills. We’re deeply appreciative of Supreme Ventures Foundation for creating such an impactful experience for our young people. It’s invaluable and often something people would pay a lot for,” he noted. “I hope SVF continues this partnership to support more young people pursuing tertiary education. Their commitment to real-world readiness is one of the most meaningful investments a scholarship program can make.”
As part of its 20th-anniversary celebrations in 2021, the Supreme Ventures Foundation awarded twenty university and college students who are transitioning from state care with financial aid that covered all expenses related to tuition, boarding, and other educational costs throughout their tertiary level academic programs.
This Pep Up Session, organized with great thought and care, stands as a testament to the Supreme Ventures Foundation's dedication to transforming the lives of scholarship recipients and supporting them on their journey to success.