The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) has released the names of the four finalists for this year's Student of the Year. They are:

- Aldeka Brickell King: BBA - Accounting

- De-Leicia Sands: BBA - Computer Information Systems

- Tamara K. Hield: BBA - Accounting

- Teschandrel M. Nottage: BBA - Accounting

The recognition program was introduced in 2002 in collaboration with The College of The Bahamas (COB), and has continued year to year as part of BFSB's Financial Services Industry Excellence Awards Programme. The student of the year is selected through a combined judging process undertaken by a COB team and an industry panel. The student will be announced for the first time at BFSB's 2012 Industry Awards Banquet, scheduled for November 9 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

Aldeka Brickell King: BBA - Accounting Aldeka graduated from The College of The Bahamas with distinction and was the recipient of the Ernst & Young and BICA awards for Accounting, as well as the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Award for Academic Excellence. In 2010 she received the Scotiabank Scholarship Award, and earlier was the recipient of the Josephine Parker Scholarship to The College of The Bahamas. While at COB, Aldeka was on either the dean's or president's list each year. A graduate of the C. V. Bethel Senior High, where she was the salutatorian of the class of 2007, having received numerous secondary academic awards.

Presently serving as an assistant accountant-audit at KPMG, Aldeka previously worked as a customer service representative at RBC Royal Bank of Canada and has had a series of work experiences while studying. Aldeka is a long-time member of the Golden Gates Community Centre, and has been involved with the Governor General's Youth Award (CGYA), the Junior Investors and Junior Achievements programs while in high school. She currently is a member of the Young Accountants Committed Hardworking Trustworthy (YACHT) Club. Aldeka has a keen interest in reaching out to the youth in her community, stressing the importance of keeping them involved in positive extracurricular activities, youth oriented programs and, where possible, employment opportunities.

After completion of her CPA examinations, she plans to pursue a master's degree in accountancy, and also plans to study economics. De-Leicia Sands: BBA - Computer Information Systems When collecting her bachelor's degree in CIS at the COB graduation ceremonies, De- Leicia also walked away with COB's 2012 JARLEM (Computer Information Systems) award. This past year she also attained the Trustee Diploma (Stage 1) from the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services (BIFS). Previously, in 2011, she achieved the associate's of The Bahamas Institute of Financial Services Diploma (ABIFS).

She was successful in obtaining the Certificate in Banking (CIB) from the Institute in 2010, when she was selected as the most outstanding student. She is a graduate of the C.V. Bethel Senior High School in Nassau. De-Leicia is a Jr. Administrative Assistant within the Exchange Control of The Central Bank of The Bahamas, where she is responsible for the electronic processing and retrieval of departmental records, digital imaging, training and IT issue resolution. She also assists in other departments as needed. Community service has included volunteering at the Children's Emergency Hostel De-Leicia plans to pursue a master's degree in an IT related discipline, while continuing to build her career.

She places high value on customer service, and says she identifies with institutions that are committed to excellence and continued development of staff and community.

Tamara K. Hield: BBA - Accounting A 2012 COB graduate, Tamara had the distinction of attaining the COB president's honor roll award. Previously, at the Jack Hayward High School, where her business studies concentrated on accounts, economics and computer science, she was awarded the Operation A+ top achievers award as well as the outstanding students in Bahamian high schools academic award. While pursuing her bachelor's degree, Tamara worked as a junior accountant (co-opt student) at Deloitte & Touche, playing an instrumental role in the launch of the PowerSchool system on Grand Bahama, and assisting senior auditors on audit engagements.

She also racked up extensive experience during summer stints with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Ministry of Labour. Tamara has a special interest in advancing the nation's youth, and has offered homework assistance services in her spare time; in fact, she has aspirations of opening an educational centre for youths in her community. She also plans to attend Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies to attain a graduate degree in public policy with a concentration in public finance policy - with possibly a career as a budget analyst in the future.

She points to the growing complexity of the nation's financial obligations which would indicate the need for trained professionals with the knowledge and skills to interpret "the full social, political, economic, and technical dimensions" of the national budget. In this connection another goal is to take the certified government financial manager exam.

Teschandrel M. Nottage: BBA - Accounting Teschandrel graduated from COB in 2012 with distinction, earning her bachelor's degree in accounts. She has two years of auditing experience under her belt, having worked since 2010 with Deloitte & Touche where she continues to be employed today as a junior auditor. Teschandrel gained work experience at RTA Consultants (Gomez & Co.) in 2009, as a government summer student. She graduated from St. Augustine's College, attaining her high school diploma in 2008. Her community service outreaches have included the Children's Emergency Hostel as well as the Bahamas Association of the Physically Disabled. Teschandrel also is a member of YACHT developed by the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA). Teschandrel considers herself a well-rounded person who is capable of excelling in any business environment. While acknowledging the efforts of both BFSB and the government to develop the financial services within The Bahamas, she points out the importance of attracting industry practitioners with a passion for the sector and of ensuring that promotional initiatives are aligned with targeted markets. Talking to BFSB about reinvigorating the sector, she pointed to the need to sustain and strengthening the sector by maintaining a competitive edge while achieving optimal customer satisfaction.

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