Donovan Butler, 11, a sixth grade student at Xavier's Lower School was recognized over the weekend as the "best and brightest" student coming out of the primary schools this year. Donovan was chosen over 117 of his peers to walk away with the top prize of a $5,000 scholarship and a computer at the 18th annual Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program (BPSSYAP).
He was the first student from Xavier's Lower School to claim the prize in the program's 18-year history.
Donovan realized he was being named the "best and brightest" when the winner was described as an individual who had helped his school to win two relays as a member of the track team and when it was announced that the student's principal had written that he was not only a good academic student, but also a well-rounded student.
"I am elated with my performance which caused me to win, and I am going on to SAC (St. Augustine's College) in September where I hope to do well and win more awards," the top primary school student said.
The son of David and Lorrieann Butler has a 3.92 grade point average and has been first in his class for six consecutive years. He has also made the Principal's List for academic excellence annually.
After being declared the program's winner, Donovan, who is also the second place finisher of The Bahamas National Spelling Bee, departed for Washington D.C. and the Scripps National Spelling Bee. He and third place finisher in the Bahamian nationals, Franquel Hagan, from Hugh Campbell Primary School in Grand Bahama, accompanied spelling bee champion Prachi Kondapuram. Donovan placed second in back-to-back nationals.
At Xavier's Lower School, the versatile Donovan, is also a member of the Junior Achievement team, the winning Junior Junkanoo team, recorder ensemble and choir. He has also won his category in the 2013 Commonwealth Writers Poetry Competition.
Donovan also assists with coaching the Grasshoppers team in the T-ball division in the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) and has been a member of several JBLN national teams.
Lyford Cay International School student Tamsin Nottage was the first runner up in the BPSSYAP. She was awarded a $4,000 scholarship as well as a computer during the ceremony on Saturday at the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries on Carmichael Road.
Tamsin, who maintains a 4.0 grade point average, has led fundraising drives to assist in the Haiti earthquake relief effort, the Philippine disaster relief as well as Hands for Hunger.
The second through fifth place runners-up were all given $3,000 awards. They were Hope Town Primary School's Bessie Lowe, Sunland Baptist Academy School's Davon Cartwright, Saints Francis and Joseph's Amari Stuart and Man-O-War Cay Primary's Brittany Weatherford. Along with their scholarship awards, Lowe and Cartwright also received computers. Stuart received a tablet phone.
Lowe, who is also a dynamic student, was overwhelmed at finishing in the top three. She plays soccer, swims, sails, does gymnastics and sings in her church's praise band. She placed second in the 2013 Commonwealth Writers Poetry Competition.
Students placing sixth through 15th received $2,000 scholarship awards -- Oakes Field Primary's Jada Culmer, Ulric Ferguson Primary's Iesha Daxon, Amy Roberts Primary's Rayvyn McKinney, Nassau Christian Academy's Sh'ton Pickering, St. Andrew's International School's Reagan Russell, St. Paul's Methodist College's Ciera Sweeting, Uriah McPhee Primary School's Davon Johnson, Kingsway Academy's Kia Basden, Maurice E. Moore Primary School's Justin Bain and Bishop Michael Eldon School's William Moss.
Twelve students were named finalists and awarded $1,500 scholarships -- Simms Primary's Jacob Bailly, Garvin Tynes Primary's Deavon Evans, Lower Deadman's Cay's Isaac Fox, Lucaya International School's Isabella Gouthro, Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic's Chavette Harvey, Freeport Primary School's Lakia Johnson, The Meridian School's Reagan MacKenzie, Tarpum Bay Primary's Tiara McKinney, Angels Academy's Ashley Newell, Sandilands Primary's Dylan Russell, St. Frances De Sales Primary's Malia Sweeting and Gerald Cash Primary's Chesternique Thomas.
Thirty-two students were named semi-finalists and awarded $1,000 scholarships -- St. Cecilia's Catholic Primary's Dontae Beneby, Tambearley School's Tanya Bethel, Gateway Christian Academy's Keri Bowleg, Bayview Academy's Leander Braynen, St. Thomas More's Rebecca Bingham, P.A. Gibson Primary's Sierra Farrington, First Step Academy's Jayden Ferguson, Charles W. Saunders' Branee Gardiner, Albury Sayle's Chardonay Garrick, Governor's Harbour Primary's Equola Gibson, Christian Heritage School's Miranda Jack, C.W. Sawyer Primary's Daijah Johnson, Temple Christian School's McKelton Johnson, Walter Parker Primary School's Sellene Johnson, United Estates Primary's Trevon Johnson, Palmdale Primary School's Pooja Krishna, Excelsior Elementary School's Joshia Miller, Queen's College's Riya Miller, St. Anne's Primary's Branae Minnis, Grand Bahama Seventh-day Adventist School's Roganne Moncur, Emma E. Cooper Primary's Kristman Moss, Spanish Wells All Age School's Ariana Pinder, Rock Sound Primary's Johnnecia Pinder, R.N. Gomez All age School's Tonique Richardson, Agape Christian School's Kenedee Romer, Fresh Creek Primary School's D'Ondre Smith, St. Andrew's Anglican School's Kazmyn Smith, Hillcrest Academy's Khearah Storr, Sadie Curtis Primary's Akila Thomas, Orange Creek Primary's Erin Turner, Trinity Christian School's Ryan Wilson Jr. and Bartlett Hill Primary's Lukajane Kellman.
A family island student and a New Providence student, who would have been semi-finalists if the Foundation and Awards Committee had the money to award them with disbursements, were the recipients of computers. They were Centreville Primary School's Khaliyah Miller and Dominion Technical Primary School's Aaron Farrington.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald said the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation awards ceremony showcases the country's next cadre of shining stars. He believes the awards program is about more than just representing prizes, scholarships and accolades to deserving students - it is about the hope and joy that lies in store for the nation.
"The attributes that qualified you for this award are the same that you will need to earn your diploma with distinction," said Fitzgerald. He told the children that they are already poised to succeed.
Each year a select group of students are nominated to accept one of the most prestigious national recognitions for primary school students in this country. This awards program, which is the premier program for primary school students, is an opportunity to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability, campus and community involvement and good citizenship.
An independent panel of judges reviewed the portfolios of the 118 students nominated to represent their respective schools from throughout the country to determine the winners. Judges selected winners based on the merits of the achievements documented in the students' portfolio, which included transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation and copies of awards.
The awards are a one-time financial scholarship payable to a Bahamian educational institution for secondary school purposes. This year the Bahamas Primary School Foundation awarded over $91,000 in scholarships and prizes.
The competition, established in 1997, was founded to fill a void in recognizing young achievers, because it was felt that major emphasis was being placed on the achievements of high school students.
The program was introduced by Ricardo P. Deveaux, president and chief executive officer of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation. Deveaux was impressed with the Florida College Student of the Year Awards Program and felt the need to establish a national awards program in The Bahamas. He was, himself, one of seven finalists in the 1992 Florida College Student of the Year Awards Program; Deveaux had flunked out of a private high school in 1983, and was motivated to provide an opportunity for students who are striving for excellence.
2014 Finalists
Winner -- Donovan Butler, Xavier's Lower School, New Providence
1st runner-up -- Tamsin Nottage, Lyford Cay International School, New Providence
2nd runner-up -- Bessie Lowe, Hope Town Primary, Abaco
3rd runner-up -- Davon Cartwright, Sunland Baptist Academy, Grand Bahama
4th runner-up -- Amari Stuart, Sts. Francis and Joseph, New Providence
5th runner-up -- Brittany Weatherford, Man-O-War Cay Primary, Abaco
6th runner-up -- Jada Culmer, Oakes Field Primary, New Providence
7th runner-up -- Iesha Daxon, Ulric Ferguson Primary, Crooked Island
8th runner-up -- Rayvyn McKinney, Amy Roberts Primary, Abaco
9th runner-up -- Sh'ton Pickering, Nassau Christian Academy, New Providence
10th runner-up -- Reagan Russell, St. Andrew's International School, New Providence
11th runner-up -- Ciera Sweeting, St. Paul's Methodist College, Grand Bahama
12th runner-up -- Davon Johnson, Uriah McPhee Primary, New Providence
13th runner-up -- Kia Basden, Kingsway Academy
14th runner-up -- Justin Bain, Maurice E. Moore Primary School, Grand Bahama
15th runner-up -- William Moss, Bishop Michael Eldon School, Grand Bahama
Finalists
Jacob Bailly, Simms Primary, Long Island
Deavon Evans, Garvin Tynes Primary, New Providence
Isaac Fox, Lower Deadman's Cay, Long Island
Isabella Gouthro, Lucaya International School, Grand Bahama
Chavette Harvey, Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic, Grand Bahama
Lakia Johson, Freeport Primary School, Grand Bahama
Reagan MacKenzie, The Meridian School, New Providence
Tiara McKinney, Tarpum Bay Primary, Eleuthera
ashley Newell, Angels Academy, Abaco
Dylan Russell, Sandilands Primary, New Providence
Malia Sweeting, St. Frances De Sales Primary Abaco
Chesternique Thomas, Gerald Cash Primary, New Providence
Semi-finalists
Dontae Beneby, St. Cecilia's Primary, New Providence
Tanya Bethel, Tambearley School, New Providence
Keri Bowleg, Gateway Christian Academy, Bimini
Leander Braynen, Bayview Academy, New Providence
Rebecca Bingham, St. Thomas More Catholic, New Providence
Sierra Farrington, P.A. Gibson Primary, Eleuthera
Jayden Ferguson, First Step Academy, New Providence
Branee Gardiner, Charles W. Saunders, New Providence
Chardonay Garrick, Albury Sayle Primary, New Providence
Equola Gibson, Governor's Harbour Primary, Eleuthera
Miranda Jack, Christian Heritage School, New Providence
Daijah Johnson, C.W. Sawyer Primary, New Providence
McKelton Johnson, Temple Christian School, New Providence
Sellene Johnson, Walter Parker Primary, Grand Bahama
Trevon Johnson, United Estates Primary, San Salvador
Pooja Krishna, Palmdale Primary School, New Providence
Joshia Miller, Excelsior Elementary School, New Providence
Riya Miller, Queen's College, New Providence
Branae Minnis, St. Anne's Primary, New Providence
Roganne Moncur, Grand Bahama SDA School
Kristman Moss, Emma E. Cooper Primary, Eleuthera
Ariana Pinder, Spanish Wells All Age, Eleuthera
Johnnecia Pinder, Rock Sound Primary, Eleuthera
Tonique Richardson, R.N. Gomez All Age, Berry Island
Kenedee Romer, Agape Christian School, Abaco
D'Ondre Smith, Fresh Creek Primary, Andros
Kazmyn Smith, St. Andrew's Anglican School, Exuma
Khearah Storr, Hillcrest Academy, New Providence
Akila Thomas, Sadie Curtis Primary, New Providence
Erin Turner, Orange Creek Primary, Cat Island
Ryan Wilson Jr., Trinity Christian School, New Providence
Lukajane Kellman, Bartlett Primary, Grand Bahama
Khaliyah Miller, Centreville Primary, New Providence
Aaron Farrington, Dominion Technical Primary, Grand Bahama
Past winners
2013 -- Lauryn Rolle, St. Thomas More Catholic School
2012 -- Nadja Simon, Genesis Academy, New Providence
2011 -- Anna Albury, Hope Town Primary, Abaco
2010 --Jared Fitzgerald, Temple Christian School, New Providence
2009 -- Khes Adderley, Temple Christian School, New Providence
2008 -- James Boyce, Hope Town Primary, Abaco
2007 -- Taran Jay Carey, Tarpum Bay Primary School, Eleuthera
2006 -- George F.D. Zonicle, Bahamas Academy Elementary School, New Providence
2005 -- Shridat Jadoo, Maurice Moore Primary School, Grand Bahama
2004 -- Saul Salonga, Mary Star of The Sea (Catholic) School, Grand Bahama
2003 -- Tenielle Curtis, Sts. Francis and Joseph School, New Providence
2002 -- Zachary Lyons, Queen's College, New Providence
2001 -- Kenny Roberts, Spanish Wells All Age School, Eleuthera
2000 -- Sasha Bain, Walter Parker Primary, Grand Bahama
1999 -- Tiffany Moncur, Carmichael Primary School, New Providence
1998 -- Andrea Moultrie, St. John's College, New Providence
1997 -- Vashti Darling, St. John's College, New Providence
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