Lyford Cay Foundations is now accepting online applications for the Solmssen Templeton Scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for study in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean for specialized careers in the field of law. All applications must be completed and submitted online at www.lyfordcayfoundation.org.

The deadline for both applications and corresponding documentation is April 15 at 5 p.m.

The Foundations offer a select number of scholarships to Bahamian citizens to complete bachelors and master's degrees in a variety of fields, as well as technical and vocational training programs. The Solmssen Templeton Scholarship specifically focuses on diversifying the pool of talent in under-represented legal fields in The Bahamas.

Applicants can be pursuing a technical degree (court reporting or court stenography), a Master's of Law degree or a graduate degree in legal administrative fields. However, study for an LL.B or J.D. will not be considered. All applicants must meet minimum GPA (grade point average) requirements and pledge to return to The Bahamas after pursuing their studies.

Tonya Bastian Galanis, principal of the Eugene Dupuch Law School, understands the transformative effect that such a scholarship can have on the field.

"The award of Solmssen Templeton Scholarship for graduate studies in law is a wonderful opportunity which may potentially lead to the growth of emerging practice areas -- for example, in environmental law, maritime law and information technology law," said Galanis. "Scholarship recipients may also be poised to take the lead in jurisprudential development in other eligible fields of legal studies covered by the scholarship, which are of increasing national and international importance."

Miguel Colebrook is a Lyford Cay Foundations alumnus whose Solmssen Templeton Scholarship has been a springboard to success. Born and raised in New Providence, Miguel graduated from C.C. Sweeting Senior School. He pursued his undergraduate degree at Queens University in Canada.

Through a Lyford Cay Foundation graduate scholarship, Miguel was able to return to Queens University and obtain a Master's degree in economics before obtaining his LL.B in commercial law at the University of Cambridge. Miguel culminated his education with a LL.M. degree focusing on Corporate Law and Governance from Harvard University, made possible by the Solmssen Templeton Scholarship.

Currently, Miguel is a U.S. Capital Markets associate at the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP in London. He has written a number of scholarly papers on legal issues published internationally. Whenever possible, Miguel returns to New Providence and shares his journey of success with the students of C.C. Sweeting Senior School. He looks forward to returning to New Providence permanently one day after gaining experience and expertise that can benefit the country.

During one of his addresses to students, Miguel observed, "Ambition is a necessary but not sufficient condition for success -- there must also be opportunity. A candle cannot dispel darkness without a flame affording it the opportunity.

Similarly, a brilliant mind can rarely achieve its true potential without an appropriate opportunity to exercise its ideas. Philanthropic organizations that facilitate advanced learning, like the Lyford Cay Foundations, can then be aptly characterized for what they truly are -- they represent, among other things, opportunity."

Those who are interested in learning more about the Solmssen Templeton Scholarship, its requirements and other scholarships offered by the Lyford Cay Foundation can visit www.lyfordcayfoundation.org.

About The Lyford Cay Foundations: Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation are private philanthropic organizations established in 1969 and 1977, respectively.

The Foundations' mission is to invest in learning opportunities for children, young adults, families and communities, all made possible by the generosity of donors. Through a variety of programs the Foundations' assist children in school as they prepare for college, students leaving school with scholarships to attend college in The Bahamas and abroad, and non-profits providing learning opportunities. To date more than $45 million has been invested in the lives of Bahamians.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian