It was a proud moment for the parents of Raneisha Higgs and Rotarians, who came together during their weekly meeting at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant to award a deserving student, while recognising the many contributions of a fellow Rotarian towards education by having that award presented in his name.
Rotary Club of Lucaya President Derek Henfield said that the award was appropriate as it highlighted the relentless efforts of one of their own.
“We thought it fitting to name the scholarship award after Dudley Powell,” he said. “He has done much in education for young people who need the financial support.”
Contributing near two million dollars in scholarships for various schools, Henfield said that Powell’s role in such organisations like the Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering (SECME) probed members of Rotary to honour the long time educator.
“After what we have seen in Powell’s contributions with SECME, sending students to Kettering University, we had no choice but to offer such distinction upon him.”
Raneisha Higgs received many praises from the entire community of Grand Bahama earlier this year, when she along with Grand Bahama District Spelling Bee and Bahamas National Spelling Bee champion Anjanet Loon made history by being the first contestants to place first and second from the same district.
It is for this great achievement that she has earned the right to the scholarship.
A former student of McLeans Town Primary, Raneisha known as a soft-spoken but yet intelligent young lady, was well-known for her unique strength and poise as she crept through each round of the Bee in both competitions.
Residents of McLeans Town were so proud of her success that they held a special affair just for her to show her their appreciation. Surrounded by her close family and friends, Raneisha pledged to do her best to study hard in school and to make her parents proud of her.
Delighted to be able to present the scholarship award to Raneisha, Past President Dudley Powell said it was an unexpected honour from his peers and that he only wanted to see his vision of progressive education among the youths come alive.
“It was a surprise receiving the award. It was unexpected to be honoured in this fashion,” said Powell.
“Everybody wants to be honoured by their colleagues, but what Rotary allows for their colleagues is helping others above yourself.”
The honoree admitted that education had always been his passion and was glad to see his vision of children being assisted with such a needed tool in life.
He noted that after his first involvement in education ﾗ a project toward assisting young men in the field of engineering ﾗhis venture to do more for education was strengthened.
“I thank the members of the Rotary for honouring me in such a way,” he declared.
“They have acknowledged not only my work, but the route that education is taking.”
Scholarship recipient Raneisha Higgs said that she was more than grateful to receive the very first Dudley A. Powell scholarship award.
The student of Bishop Michael Eldon High School said that the scholarship provokes her to work even harder.
“I thank my parents, Dr. Doswell Coakley and Mr. Powell for giving me the award,” she said. “I assure you that I will continue to work hard and give nothing but my best.”
By TAMARA DELANEY, Freeport News Reporter
