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The Caribbean Chorale established a bursary in Rosetta Batson's name.
She was a long-standing, and committed member of St. Michael the Archangel Church,
and also a founding, and much-loved member of the Caribbean Chorale.
Rosetta’s time among us was short, but she made her mark, and in recognition this bursary was established in her name.
For consideration the applicants should meet the following criteria:
Be an individual of Caribbean descent as defined by The Caribbean Chorale of Toronto;
Have met the requirements for acceptance at a college/university, and will be
proceeding to tertiary education; or is currently pursuing studies in some area of music at the tertiary level;
Have achieved a recognized level of accomplishment in some area of music,
and be committed to continuing studies/involvement in music;
Be someone of such character as will be in keeping with the Mission and
tenets of The Caribbean Chorale of Toronto;
Have demonstrated community service, involvement and activity.
The Board of Directors will choose the winning candidate.
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Joy Lapps (center) receiving the Rosetta Batson Award
from her children Curtis, Joanne and Terry, John her dad on the far left, and her mother Mauline on the far right.
Joy Lapps was the first winner of the bursary in 2003. Joy was born in Toronto to Antiguan parents, John and Mauline Lapps. She attended Southwood Park Public School, and Ajax High School, from where she graduated from the French Immersion Program in 2003 with a 90% average. Joy was chosen as Valedictorian of her graduating class. She attended York University where she pursued her degree in International Business, and continuing her love of music, she is also studying steel pan and African drum.
Joy's love of the steel pan was nurtured at the Church of the Nativity,
under Mr. Vince Cato, and the community has certainly benefited from her increasing expertise.
She has performed for concerts, benefits and other occasions at many venues across the GTA and beyond.
Despite her very busy schedule, Joy has always found time to contribute to her community.
At high school she was active in groups such as STAR - Students and Teachers against Racism, and Culture of Peace, to name but two.
She was also involved in organizing programs to Celebrate Black History Month.
She has for many years been a tutor in French and Mathematics to students at the Church of the Nativity,
and also volunteers with the Breakfast Program at Lord Durham Public School in Ajax.
She has made some CDs of her music.
Her parents, siblings, Asha and Subria, the members of The Caribbean Chorale, and indeed the whole community, salute Joy on her achievements, and wish her continued success and God's richest blessings.
The 2008 Scholarship Winners were Owen Lee
and Temeka Williams, both are students at York
University.
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Owen is a vocalist/piana player for the ministry "Slain in the Spirit".
Through this ministry, they have outreached to numerous urban communities in Toronto, including Jane and Finch, ABC court in Rexdale, Nathan Phillips Square and many more.
He lead praise and worship at his church, as well as play piana for his choir on Sundays.
He is the vocal leader of Divine Worship, a Toronto-based Chorale, which has performed at numerous concerts around the city.
More information can be found at his Website.
Temeka Williams is a 2nd year student major in vocal jazz music.
She is a member of the Toronto Mass Choir, and they recently went on a tour to Poland. (May 7-21 2008).
Temeka attended the Sabbath School, and played in the choirs from grade 4 onwards, she was choir president in her last year of High School 2005-2006.
Sometimes she was given the opportunity to direct the Choir as well as the vocal quartet.
Her goal is to become a high school music/band teacher,
and conduct an orchester for youth age 11-19.