Twenty-two students were yesterday awarded National Merit Scholarship and All-Bahamas Merit Scholarship awards durng a ceremony at Government House. The Recipients pose with (from left, sitting) Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald; Governor General Marguerite Pindling, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Reginald Saunders. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)
The Bahamas' top young scholars were officially recognized yesterday at a ceremony held at Government House with Queen's College (QC) graduate Simone Cambridge being named the 2016 All-Bahamas Merit Scholar (ABMS).
A total of 22 students received ABMS and National Merit Scholarship Awards.
The ABMS is the top government award that can be bestowed upon a high school graduate.
Cambridge said she was extremely grateful for receiving the scholarship.
"It means that I have a lot of responsibility thrust upon me, and with that, I have to make sure that I do the right thing and live up to the responsibility," she told The Nassau Guardian at the ceremony.
Cambridge has earned a four-year, $140,000 scholarship.
Cambridge will be heading to McGill University in Canada to study art history and urban studies.
Speaking to her reason for selecting her field of study, she said that she was inspired by a visit to Savannah, Georgia.
"During that visit, I saw how the town was actually very similar to Nassau," she said. "They have a similar history to The Bahamas. Art historians and urban developers, they worked together to develop the city in a way that showcases the culture but was still functional and allowed the community to prosper.
"By studying that, hopefully I can be able to do the same thing for The Bahamas."
When asked if she was always a top student, she said: "I have had difficulties.
"I am just like every other student. I push myself. I work really hard. It is not just all natural talent. It's a lot of studying, seeking help, talking to my parents, having my parents remind me that I need to study. When I need to take a step back away from everything else and just focus on my books. It's a lot of work."
Cambridge received 10 As in the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams and two other passes.
She sat the exams in the 11th grade.
The QC graduate offered advice to other young Bahamians.
"I would say, try your best. But when trying your best there is always going to be times when you are going to falter. And don't be afraid to lean on others and seek help," she said.
Seven other students from Queen's College received National Merit scholarships, the most of any school in the country.
Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald lauded the high achievers for their accomplishments.
Fitzgerald pointed out that the dollar amount of government scholarships has increased over the past four years from $7.5 million to $16 million this year.
Dana Knowles, a recipient of the National Merit Scholarship, said that she was honored to receive the award. Knowles, a graduate of N.G.M. Major High School in Long Island, said she was always at the top of her class from primary school through high school. Offering advice to young Bahamians, she encouraged them to persevere and try their best. Knowles will be heading to Elon University to study finance and Spanish.
"I have always liked business class. I feel like finance would open a lot of opportunities and doors for me to work in various fields," she said.
Knowles explained that learning Spanish would assist in improving the tourism industry. "I feel that it is really important in communicating with tourists," she said. "It also opens doors for people from all over [the world] to come without having to have a translator."
She added, "If you are Bahamian you can do both."
Don Alleyne, Guardian Staff Reporter
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