Exclusive: Student’s dream back on track

A would-be heart surgeon has had his dream restored after a family came forward to sponsor his first year of studies.

Jecar Chapman, 22, had been accepted to study molecular biology and biochemistry at Dalhousie University in Halifax, but he didn’t have the funding to attend.

That all changed yesterday when a family agreed to pay for Jecar’s first year. The family also plans to help Jecar attain scholarship funding for the remaining years.

We shared Jecar’s story in Friday’s Bermuda Sun and were contacted by the donors, who wish to remain anonymous.

Speaking after a meeting with the donor, Jecar, a valedictorian graduate of CedarBridge Academy, told this reporter: “I am so thankful to you and the kind family who are willing to support and help me with my financial troubles in pursuing my dreams.

“God has truly worked in my life. Even though I got rejected from five scholarships, he has given me something even better.

“I will always keep in mind what the kind donor told me; ‘Anyone can do anything, but no one can do everything’, ‘Everyone can be successful, but no one is successful by themselves’ and ‘Everyone matters’.

“These words will encourage me whenever I face the challenges ahead.”

He continued: “Just last Sunday, I learned in church that a study conducted showed that on average, for every one word of encouragement, we will be given six criticisms.

“This experience has taught me that it is better to reverse those trends and be an encourager in other’s lives, just as both yours and the Bermuda Sun have been and the anonymous contributor who helped me meet this year’s financial needs. I will definitely be trying for scholarships again next year and learning from my mistakes in my applications this year. Perhaps I will be successful.

“I will never forget what you, the Bermuda Sun and the anonymous donor have done for me.”

Jecar, who has been working at BIOS, has completed an associate’s in science at the Bermuda College and will be attending Dalhousie in the Fall, thanks to the  donor. The cost is $26,000 per year.

Jecar has about two years left of undergraduate studies and will then go on to medical school.

His father Bruce Chapman said: “Just when we were about to give up hope, God moved in.

“We have also learned in the process that when you apply for scholarships, you don’t just apply for the ones that are specifically in your field. You apply for everything.”

Mr Chapman spoke proudly of his son’s determination to succeed: “If it’s anything outside of education, Jecar will ask once and leave it alone! When it’s education related, he won’t leave me alone. He will pester me until we do what we need to do.”

Jecar will fly out at the end of August to begin his studies at Dalhousie.