On September 1, 2026, eight outstanding high school students in Belize received prestigious scholarships through a long-running collaborative program between the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise and global energy firm Puma Energy, marking seven years of the partnership’s commitment to expanding educational access across the country.
This year, roughly 15 students submitted applications for the competitive awards, which were presented to the selected recipients during a formal recognition ceremony. At the event, leadership representatives from both partnering organizations delivered remarks urging the new scholars to remain focused on their academic journeys and leverage the full range of support the program provides.
Adelaide Sabido, past president of Rotary Sunrise, emphasized that the initiative is far more than a recognition of past academic success. “This scholarship is not only a reward for what you have already accomplished. It is an investment in what we know you are capable of achieving,” Sabido told the assembled recipients and guests.
Unlike many traditional scholarship programs that only provide one-time financial aid for tuition and school materials, the Rotary Sunrise-Puma Energy initiative offers holistic ongoing support. Rotary Club president Maynor Larrieu explained that program coordinators track each recipient’s academic progress throughout the year. Scholars struggling with core subjects including mathematics and English can access free additional tutoring, and the program also provides dedicated support for students’ mental wellness needs.
For the 2026 recipients, the award has already made a tangible difference in their lives and their families’ financial stability. Ari Salano, a student at Anglican Cathedral College, shared that the scholarship has motivated him to push harder toward his long-term goals while reducing the financial strain his family has faced covering education costs. Mitchaelyn Fuller, an aspiring physician attending St. Catherine’s Academy, echoed that sentiment, noting the support eases the burden on her single mother, who manages school expenses alongside daily household bills.
Freddie, a representative from Puma Energy, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to the initiative, noting that the seven-year collaboration centers on investing in education to nurture the next generation of Belizean community and national leaders. “You were chosen because of your talents, drive, and potential,” Freddie told the new and returning scholars in his congratulatory remarks.
As Belize has expanded access to free public education in recent years, the scholarship program has adapted its offerings to meet evolving student needs, Larrieu explained. Rather than focusing solely on tuition coverage, the Rotary Club now targets complementary support gaps, including funding for extracurricular activities and other unmet educational requirements that free public education does not cover.
The program also maintains continuous support for students who received awards in previous years, with some recipients who first joined the initiative during primary school now advancing into high school. Larrieu noted that the program adjusts its level and type of support as students progress through different stages of their education, with the end goal of helping students graduate and go on to become engaged leaders in their local communities.
In closing, Sabido challenged the new scholarship recipients to not only advance their own education but also to pass on the support they have received once they achieve their own goals. “One day, you will be in a position to open a door for someone else. When that day comes, open it wide,” she said.