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'NDP robbed me of a Scholarship based on political affiliation'–Kevon S. Lettsome

'NDP robbed me of a Scholarship based on political affiliation'–Kevon S. Lettsome. Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Kevon S. Lettsome made the damning allegation against the Dr D. Orlando Smith Administration, which had under the Education portfolio, the then controversial Minister, Myron V. Walwyn (pictured here). Photo: VINO/File
Mr Kevon S. Lettsome made the damning allegation against the Dr D. Orlando Smith Administration, which had under the Education portfolio, the then controversial Minister, Myron V. Walwyn (pictured here). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Outspoken youth activist, Mr Kevon S. Lettsome, has accused the ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) government of denying him a Scholarship because of his political affiliation.

Mr Lettsome made the damning allegation against the Dr D. Orlando Smith Administration, which had under the Education portfolio, the then controversial Minister, Myron V. Walwyn.

The young activist dropped the ‘bombshell’ during an appearance on ‘Honestly Speaking with host, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline on March 26, 2019, last.

He was at the time speaking to the need for the newly installed Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government to treat with priority, investing in young people and education.

Robbed 

According to Mr Lettsome, “I can talk for myself based off of experience, the last government robbed young people of scholarship based off of their (political) affiliation…I hope this sitting government will not do the same thing.”

Currently paying out of pocket, in addition to welcomed donations, in pursuit of his Bachelors in Marketing, Mr Lettsome was adamant, he was denied a scholarship because of his political affiliation.

Asked bluntly by host Mr Skelton Cline, if he believes he was denied the scholarship based on his political affiliation, Mr Lettsome’s response was “yes.”

He explained for the host and listeners that he applied for the Scholarship, “I went on the interview, I did my part…based on who was sitting in the room, I know what the outcome would have been before.”

Currently in his final year at Devry University, Mr Lettsome told listeners “my hope is to come back to my country and make a positive contribution where I can.”

34 Responses to “'NDP robbed me of a Scholarship based on political affiliation'–Kevon S. Lettsome”

  • 123 (28/03/2019, 12:36) Like (38) Dislike (13) Reply
    many others of us were
    • Reply (28/03/2019, 14:12) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
      Well the voters have taken care of mvw leave him alone
    • How much longer (28/03/2019, 18:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Fullosteam has still not backed down with respect to Mark, and his news blog continues to recite the comments of the Overspend without any mention of whether he has a $350k consultancy from the Govt.
      They are the two most contraversial people in BVI politics.
  • Me (28/03/2019, 13:47) Like (54) Dislike (12) Reply
    Sounds like assumption to me. Give proof my boy. That way no one can deny the facts
  • tretretrete (28/03/2019, 14:01) Like (43) Dislike (21) Reply
    Boy go siddung
    • Myo (28/03/2019, 21:15) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      He too lie. He is not the only person who was denied scholarships. You ain't hear the rest (ndp or vip) who did not get, out there blaming anyone. Everyone who apply will not get through.
  • Rainbow Club (28/03/2019, 14:13) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why did you not join our club sir?

    We still have openings so you are not too late.

    Young boys only with a clean prostate check up.
    • Ruce (28/03/2019, 17:04) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Lawd ah still laughing.
    • wize up (28/03/2019, 18:01) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ rainbows club: what is the prostate club; is this a gathering for males only with the signature bow-tie ensemble....
  • Don't feel bad (28/03/2019, 14:28) Like (11) Dislike (19) Reply
    Myron and his Jamaican PS refused to give me a loan against my house or a scholarship to send my daughter to college.
    • OH MY GOD (29/03/2019, 10:06) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      People really. Wait Myron is your husband. Go and ask the pickney father for loan and scholarship money to send her to college. The thinks I does read on her is just BS. The Government is not responsible for your life style.
  • Virgin Gordian (28/03/2019, 14:47) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
    I am an NDP supporter and I don't know about this young man's situation but what I can say; There was a bright young man from VG. Top student, very academically inclined. As a matter of fact he is now studying in a top university in the US. He applied to the past administration for a scholarship and was denied. But, on the other hand, because a young lady also from VG was granted a scholarship to study in the UK because she was a member of the "Youth for Walwyn Organization. That is a fact.
  • Wendy (28/03/2019, 14:58) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    Devry ?????
    Some of us are losers before we leave the gate.
    You are welcome to my heartfelt sympathy regarding your real truth . Many of us ,thought blessed with above marginal intelligence knew/knows that paying for our education was/is a personal responsibility.
  • Confused!! (28/03/2019, 15:19) Like (29) Dislike (9) Reply
    How come only now you all are speaking out about scholarships, you all sound sicking as young people. all Governments does the same thing back in the 70ths, 80ths in my time they did the same thing, it's not new, only certain children were giving the privilege God bless some of us had family members in the US to help us with green cards so we can get a better education. Mr Clyne for a so call man of God election gone you got what you wanted stop stiring up crap and let us get on with the people business our turn your broadcast into an hour of prayer for our country.
  • Scrub........ (28/03/2019, 15:20) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    Not trying to get a free meal ticket, go work and save your money like everyone else, contribute to a loan and go get that Degree
  • Cudjo (28/03/2019, 15:29) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    Sir your problem goes way beyond the past Gov
    For starters,you need to have a sit down with real friends..
  • lodger (28/03/2019, 16:00) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hope he is taking an English course as well.
  • Goodness me (28/03/2019, 16:22) Like (36) Dislike (5) Reply
    I really believe now that Claude Skelton Cline has backslidden to almost the point of no return. Why do I say that? Well, February 25th would have been the day that the VIP won the 2019 Elections, not so? Mr. Skelton Cline had a specific job during the election season and that was to go negative against NDP all day and all night long. Find their weak points and pound, pound all day. Now I understand that the goal was to win the election then, but what is his goal now pray tell? Do we have to listen to him campaign for these entire 4 years to next election season? This young man said clearly that he got money from several Government representatives and he was able to finance his education to the point of graduation in a few months. Why is he on the radio fussing about a scholarship that he didn't get? There is no guarantee that when you apply for a scholarship you will get it. In fact it is very difficult to receive a scholarship all over the world. Does that mean you are being victimized by the Government of the day? You were lucky to be able to afford your education with a little help so you didn't need the doggone scholarship. Listen Mr. Cline and Mr. Lettsome, give me a cotton picking break and let me have a read of my local news and a listen of my local station without listening to nonsense. Election is over. I am sick and tired of hearing negative. It seems that, you, Man of God cannot find anything positive to speak about so shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Tired!
  • east end (28/03/2019, 16:37) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kedrick was ndp for 19 years 11 months and this guy was a supporter of his 2 out of 3 election including the last one just concluded. His story isn’t straight.
    • Eh? (28/03/2019, 17:02) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      I thought Devry was sued out of business due to fraud. Often wondered about he colossus amount of cash a by gone minuster threw their way for all the students, from the Good to Great program. Hey not a peep..all hush hush but this boy problem will start when his Resume announces Devry as his alma mater and Cline as his friend. Poor fella
  • Really???? (28/03/2019, 16:47) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Isn't he one of the Speaker's bestfriends? Playing politics as usual. Last time I checked there was an application process where applicant's are NOT GUARANTEED a scholarship. There is a board that reviews the applications and only a set number of scholarships are issued every year. This has always been the case, so I don't know why the young fellow don't stop being political. Good thing is that he can afford to pay for it himself like he is doing, so at the end of it all he can work wherever he wants to once he graduates. Get over it and move on Mr. Lettsome!!!
    • @ Really? (29/03/2019, 05:07) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Hush your dirty self Myron micro manage everything in that ministry thank god he gone
  • oone eye (28/03/2019, 17:30) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    hope mvw never comes back to the house of assembly
    • thr rock (29/03/2019, 08:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      He will broke yiur heart in a few yeats to come? Lol, lol, lol!
  • Outlaw (28/03/2019, 18:40) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    MVW could not grant this young man a scholarship but he could have find money to give out to his cronies as consultants
  • On looker (28/03/2019, 18:48) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    You can’t be doing nasty in your life and expect good kevon ...... we watching you
  • Priority Areas (28/03/2019, 19:53) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have oodles of people studying Business Administration and Marketing and then they will complain when they can't find jobs. We need to prioritise areas for scholarships. What are the keys areas to develop the country? Award (not give) scholarships in those areas first and then in other areas of study as money is available.
  • BET (28/03/2019, 20:06) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lolol. Boy you are not the brightest crayon in the bunch. You couldn’t finish HLSCC... graduate from High School with a Grade 3 Certificate. ...... not even that. If you’re so bold to be against NDP. Why you want their scholarship for????

    Bet this wouldn’t post!
  • Glass House (28/03/2019, 23:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    They robbed you just like how you rob princess A of a father .. do gud & gud will come to you
  • facts (29/03/2019, 05:08) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Do not mind the haters Mr Lettsome you speaking the truth
    • Dasheen (29/03/2019, 13:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      What he has been robbed of is decency self respect and a sense of personal responsibility.
      Our young men are for the most part empty shells..no substance no moral fortitude and so he laments his loss of a handout which in fact was a gift of self reliance.Pathetic.
  • reality (29/03/2019, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s unfortunate if he was in fact discriminated against for the reason he claims. Party politics is a very ugly monster. However as it pertains to his plea for the VIP to invest in young people and education; I have to say that I have mixed feelings. The government has funded (or helped to fund) the education of countless persons, who have decided to satisfy their own interests and ignore their obligations to this territory. Before the government dishes out ANY more scholarships I feel there needs to be reform that bridges the gap between education earned and education being brought back to the territory. We need actual checks and balances that not only hold students and their signatories accountable, but that also provides incentive to return. I won’t sit here and act like I don’t know why they don’t come home. All those issues must be fixed if the scholarship program is going to continue.


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