Bahamas Supermarkets awarded $202,000 in scholarships at a moving ceremony July 21, sending 36 students off to colleges or training schools at home or abroad with a chance at a better start in life and some solid advice.
“College is a life lesson…a networking experience. The most important thing to remember is that each of you has to live a fulfilled life with many core values. For some of you those values may be getting good grades, developing leadership qualities, taking initiative and forming strength of character,” advised Nakera Simms, a former recipient now employed as Project Coordinator for Phase III of Atlantis. Character formation, she said, is not based on a single decision, but on many small steps that combine to form a positive attitude backed by purpose. And while it is important to have a social life and enjoy the college experience, it is essential to focus on the ultimate goal.
“You must all remain focused and concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand,” said Simms, who was crowned Miss Bahamas in 2000, the same year she graduated with honours from Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.
She addressed a packed house in a decorated ballroom at the British Colonial Hilton. The event was the 37th annual Bahamas Supermarkets Foundation scholarship awards ceremony and there were few dry eyes in the room after individual awards were presented, including a repeat award to blind student Alvin Forbes, and a moving video featuring past scholarship recipients who went on to become community leaders. Familiar faces all, each thanked Bahamas Supermarkets for believing in them. Among them: the man considered the architect of modern Bahamian tourism, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, vice president of Atlantis and radio personality Ed Fields, the first Bahamian orthodontist Dr. L Barry Russell, heart specialist Dr. Conville Brown, pharmacists and other high achievers. Bahamas Supermarkets Foundation, the charitable trust supported by City Market stores in Nassau and Winn-Dixie in Grand Bahama, has awarded some $7.5 million in scholarships since its inception in 1968.
“From 1968, the commitment of this great company has remained steadfast,” said Lionel Elliott, a Bahamahost lecturer who served as emcee. Elliott was about to ask for a round of applause when the audience rose spontaneously, breaking out into loud clapping on their own, thanking the company committed to youth development and its scholarship programme. There was a second standing ovation when Forbes received his award. An honour student at The College of the Bahamas, he is using this year’s scholarship to go on to Huron University where he will study education so he can teach others who are physically challenged. Three recipients came from the Junior Achievement programme, including St. Augustine’s College graduate Andre Curry who will use his award to study bio-med at St. Leo College in Tampa, Florida.
“The Foundation…has already issued to deserving students within the Bahamas 1,599 scholarships which total in dollar value in excess of $7 million. To me, that is astounding as it reflects not only the organization’s commitment of giving back to the local community, but moreover their commitment to assisting in the development of our nation’s youth,” Simms said. “But beyond that, what is even more amazing is that City Markets doesn’t ask for anything in return, other than that you do your work. Your scholarship is renewal for up to four years, yet BSL doesn’t require that you have to come home in the summers and work for them nor do they require that upon graduation you work for them for a number of years. All you have to do is maintain a 3.0 grade point average and in my opinion that is a small price to pay for the luxury of receiving financial assistance toward your college tuition.”
Bahamas Supermarkets Ltd Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the company’s 12 stores in Nassau and Grand Bahama Bruce Souder thanked customers, shareholders and staff for making it possible to provide scholarships. And he gave special thanks to Dr. Keva Bethel, former president of The College of The Bahamas, and a member of the company’s board of directors, for heading up the screening committee. “Each year, the selection process gets more difficult and I’d like to thank Dr. Keva Bethel who works so hard with her committee to make sure that the awards go to the most deserving,” said Souder.
This year’s recipients include Francisico Bin, Ian Bethell, Nastascia Brice, Kendera Burrows, Harry Butler, Kendra Clarke, Jaykano Cooper, Andrea Culmer, Andre Curry, Nicola Davis, Giavanna Dean, Lathice Dean, Leshelle Delaney, Tramaine Evans, Alvin Forbes, Vanessa Forbes, Patrick Greenslade, Chandia Hanna, Shakara Hepburn, Cherika Johnson, Byron Knowles, Nakita Knowles, Alesandria Lewis, Wendy Lewis, Krystal Martin, Zeko McKenzie, Tyrina Neely, El Shaddei Neymour, Apryal Rahming, Jonell Rolle, Matthew Saunders, Demetria Sherman, Sanjay Sinclair-Sands, Matthew Williams, Paige Williams and Siobhan Williams.
SUPERSTAR ﾖ Alvin Forbes, centre, is one of 36 students who received prestigious Bahamas Supermarkets scholarships at a moving awards ceremony July 21. Forbes, who is blind, has completed studies, also on scholarship, at The College of The Bahamas and will go on to Huron University. He is congratulated by Dr, Keva Bethel, left, who heads the screening committee, and Bruce Souder, senior vice president of the grocery giant in The Bahamas. Bahamas Supermarkets Foundation has awarded $7.5 million in scholarships since the program’s inception in 1968.
THE BEST ﾖ Nakera Simms, a former Bahamas Supermarkets Foundation scholarship recipient, addressed nearly 150 people last week at the 37th annual Bahamas Supermarkets Scholarship Awards ceremony. Now employed as Project Coordinator for Phase III of Atlantis, Simms told students who were just beginning their college careers to “enjoy your college experience, but stay focused on the task at hand and remain true to your values and life goals.” This year’s awards totalled $202,000.
From: The Nassau Guardian
