Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Stephens: I enjoy a good challenge and I have already begun to rise to it. - Contributed

Deejay Tanya Stephens was officially awarded a scholarship to the University of Sunderland, England, where she will do a business management degree through Internet-based classes.

The official announcement was made at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, on Wednesday morning.

Aldain Reid, regional director of Resource Development International (RDI), North Caribbean, described it as a historic occasion,

And the live and very direct Stephens expressed her gratitude repeatedly, emphasising the flexibility of the Internet arrangement.

"I have tried to apply to many places and I have been told that I have to be there 90 per cent of the time. And 10 per cent can't pay for the course," Stephens said. She said that the set-up was ideal for "not just artiste, but people who have to hustle and not just sit out at the airport waiting for people like me".

Good challenge

"I have already begun to work. I enjoy a good challenge and I have already begun to rise toit," Stephens said.

She thanked deejay Assassin, last year's recipient of the scholarship from RDI who is at the top of his business management class and was present at Wednesday's awards ceremony, "for the help I have already started to get". She smiled as she acknowledged the members of her family who were present, saying that they would also be helping out.

Chances are the woman whose hit-making music career goes back to the mid 1990s with Yu No Ready Fi Dis Yet on the 'Joyride' rhythm and has done the excellent Gangster Blues and Rebelution albums does not "live inna de slum". However, with regards to the scholarship, Stephens said, "The fact is that money is not the only thing to be taken into consideration. If it were up to me I would procrastinate."

And as for giving the scholarship to people like Stephens and Assassin who most likely can afford to pay for the courses, Reid said, "If we gave it to someone else who was not a Tanya Stephens, this event would be empty. In order to effect change you have to do something different."

Flexible programme

Guest speaker Dr. Donna Hope pointed out the contrast between the perception that many artistes' "intellectual capacity is limited" and "the creative genius that is constantly displayed". "RDI has recognised that within our cultural identity there resides a wellspring of intellectual capacity," Hope said.

She pointed to the flexibility of the programme, saying that "historically, many people have been denied access to education, especially higher education" because of the need to be at a fixed location.

As for that perception of artistes being not too bright, Stephens said, "That might have been some time ago, but that was before us. It is a new day. We represent change. It has already changed. If you think local artiste stupid try come do some business with we. We shrewd. We a formalise what we know.

"This is a good step for artistes, good step for our culture, good step as role models," she said.