A new scholarship for TN Tatem students aims to encourage them to keep on studying long after they leave the middle school.Five high-achieving pupils have picked up awards totalling $10,000 this year, but they won’t be able to access the funds until they have completed a term of postsecondary education.School principal Francine McMahon explained the purpose was to inspire them to study hard while at the middle school and encourage them to further their education after high school.“The money remains in trust until they qualify for it,” she said, adding that if they don’t qualify they forfeit the cash.The first recipients of the scholarship are Jennifer Parra, Amon Weddeburn, Andre’ Ivo, Tiara DeRosa and Jordin Edness, all aged either 13 or 14 and due to start at CedarBridge Academy or the Berkeley Institute in September.Jennifer won the top scholarship of $3,000 for having the highest grades overall during her three years at TN Tatem.Amon won $2,500 for having the second highest grades and Andre’ won $1,500 for having the third.Tiara received $1,500 for being the most improved student and Jordin got the same amount for showing the most promise with regards to further education.Ms McMahon said she believed the scholarship was the first of its kind for a middle school on the Island and agreed it was historic for TN Tatem.The money is from the TN Tatem/Spice Valley Middle School Trust Fund, which was set up in 1998 by former United Bermuda Party Cabinet Minister Quinton Edness.The initial aim was to build a swimming pool but proceeds of the fund have never been enough to achieve that. In 2010, the objective was expanded to include other projects to enhance students’ learning experience.Ms McMahon said Mr Edness was on the school’s board of trustees when it was Warwick Secondary School and has remained involved ever since. He remains a trustee of the fund.Deputy principal Christopher Swan said: “He always had a great affiliation with the school and an admiration for the school.”The scholarships were given out at TN Tatem’s transition ceremony for students moving on to secondary school.Mr Edness could not be reached for comment.