Ministry of Education Congratulates the 2022 Scholarship and Award Recipients

The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Bermuda Government Scholarships and Awards. 

Each year the Ministry of Education provides scholarships and awards to Bermudian students to pursue higher education.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, said, “Education is and will continue to be a top priority for this Government, and it is also an undeniable part of the continued development of Bermuda.”

“Through our mandate to support continuing education, significant investments continue to be made, and despite the challenging economic times, our Scholarships and Awards budget has steadily increased from $1 million dollars in 2017 to the almost $1.5 million dollars we see today.”

“Once again, to our 2022 recipients, congratulations, and I look forward to seeing you make significant contributions to your community, Bermuda, and the World.”

The full listing of scholarships and awards provided are as follows:

The Bermuda Government Scholarship for graduating senior school students or current college or university students (aged 16-25) for post-secondary education. This Scholarship has a value of up to $35,000 per year for up to four years towards the cost of tuition and basic accommodation. Our 2022 recipients are:

1. Jerzi Riley, a graduate of Bermuda High School for Girls and the Saltus IB Programme where she received 9 IGCSEs and was a Member of the Saltus Netball Team. She will attend the University of Central Florida to pursue a Bachelor of Actuarial Science Degree.

2.    Giovanni Hollis, a graduate of Warwick Academy where he was Deputy Head Boy and an Honor Student on the Principal’s List. He received 11 IGCSEs, a Community Service Award, and a BELCO STEM Award. He was Vice Captain of Rhodes House and participated in the Goldman Sachs 2021 Summer Insight Series. He attends Northeastern University, where is on the Dean’s list, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

The Teacher Education Scholarships for current college or university students with sophomore standing for study of selected subjects and/or areas of teaching need in the Bermuda Public School System. Scholarship value is up to $20,000 per year for overseas study for up to 3 years. Our 2022 recipients are:

1.  Malay Robinson, a graduate of the Berkeley Institute where she was Head Girl and Vice President of the Student Council. She was awarded the George Decosta Silver Medal for Service to Students, School Spirit Award, Leadership Award, and the Grace Joell Memorial Trophy for Deportment. She is also a recent graduate of the Bermuda College, where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Education. She will be attending Kean University to pursue a Bachelor of Art in English K-12 Teacher Education.

2.Tamera Simmons, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy and Bermuda College, where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Education. She participated in programmes such as YMSC Netball, Delta Gems, Young Women with a Purpose, and Candy Striping Volunteer with the KEMH Hospital. She will be attending University College Birmingham where she will complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education before undertaking studies to become a Special Education teacher.

3. Aaliyah Lee, a graduate of The Berkeley Institute where she was awarded High Honors -Magna Cum Laude, the Gold Community Service Award, and subject prizes in Biology IV, AP Biology, Spanish GCSE. She was a Prefect, served on the Student Council, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Youth Parliament. She also received an Associate of Arts Degree from Bermuda College. She will be attending Kean University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education with aspirations of becoming a Spanish Teacher.

The Non-Traditional Student Award provides funding to non-traditional students seeking their first undergraduate degrees. Applicants must be aged 25 or older and pursuing full-time post-secondary studies, including online programmes at accredited institutions. This award is valued at $20,000 annually for overseas study for up to 4 years. Our 2022 recipients are:

1.    Akelah Hendrickson, a graduate of the Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College where she received an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She also received a Designation in Risk Management. During her studies she was a member of the Bermuda Police Service. She will be attending the University of Wolverhampton in England to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health.

2.    Amber Douglas, a graduate of the Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College where she received an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Certificate in Human Resource Management and General Management. She has worked in Human Resources from 2018 – 2021 and is currently attending the Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. 

The Minister’s Achievement Scholarship was designed to help graduating students of CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute attend overseas post-secondary education.  This award is valued at $25,000 per year for up to 4 years for overseas study. The 2022 recipients are:

1. Nasya Burgess, a graduate of The Berkeley Institute where she was Head Girl, Gold House Captain, Student Leader and S4 Representative. She graduated with High Honours, receiving Principal’s Honours. She will be attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to pursue a Bachelor of Animal Science majoring in Biology.
2. D’Angele Symonds, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy where she was Deputy Head Girl, Member of the National Honors Society, and Student Government Vice President. She graduated with High Honours, receiving Principal’s Honours. She was also a Word of Life Peer Mentor. She will be attending Keele University to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science

The Minister’s Exceptional Student Award is designed to help students with exceptionalities (disabilities) attend post-secondary education. This award is valued at $25,000 annually for up to 4 years of overseas study. Our 2022 recipient is:

1.    Iziah Tucker, a graduate of The Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College where he received a Diploma in Culinary Arts. He has also been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver, and Gold. He will be attending the Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning to pursue a Diploma in Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion.

The Minister’s Applied Science Scholarshipis designed to help graduating dual enrolment students of CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute complete applied science and technology-related Associate Degrees and Certificates at Bermuda College. This award is for $5,000 and is tenable for one year. Our 2022 recipient is:

1.    Aaron-Claude White, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy where he received the Theatre Technician’s Award, Combined Science Award, and NCCER Electrical 1. He graduated with High Honours. He was also a dual enrolment student at the Bermuda College where he will continue his studies through the Associate of Applied Science, Plumbing Technology, programme.

The Minister’s Technical and Vocational Award was designed to help promising public school students and public school alumni (aged 25 or under) at Bermuda College who have a strong interest in technical and vocational areas attend local or overseas post-secondary education. This award is valued at $25,000 annually for up to 4 years of overseas study. Our 2022 recipient is:

1.    Roneeya Jones, a graduate of The Berkeley Institute where she received the Gold Community Service Award, The Berkeley Institute PTSA Scholarship, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Scholarship.She was also an Honour Roll Student and Prefect. She graduated from the Bermuda College with an Associate in Science (Pre-Health) and Certificate for Nursing Assistant. She will be attending Winston-Salem University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The Minister’s Bermuda College Book Awardis for Bermuda College students who require financial support to purchase books. These are one-time awards for students enrolled in degree programs at Bermuda College. They are valued at $500. The 2022 recipients are: Kiara Cheeseman, Richard Johnston, Destiny Richardson, Jelani Simmons, Selay Simmons, and Edward van Putton.

This year the Ministry of Education partnered with the Friends of Hope Academyfor the first time to issue an award that is fully funded by the Friends of Hope Academy, valued at $5,000.00 to a deserving student selected from the Ministry of Education pool of applicants that applied to the Minister’s Exceptional Student Award. The 2022 recipient is Mr. Vincent Darrell, who will be attending Solvent University in England to pursue a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Business Management.  Mr. Darrell graduated from Saltus Grammar School, where he was Head Prefect.

The Further Education Award provides funding for college and university students who demonstrate financial need.  This award is valued at $10,000; it is a one-time award that is tenable for 1 year.  This year 39 undergraduate students received this award, and 10 postgraduate students were awarded as listed below: