The search for the best and brightest students coming out of primary schools began in November 2013, when administrators began keeping an eye out for the shining achievers who will, this year, be awarded a share of approximately $110,000 in scholarships and prizes at the 18th annual Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards program.
The winner will be named National Primary School Student of the Year and walk away with the top prize of a $5,000 scholarship and a computer.
The first runner-up will receive a $4,000 scholarship as well as a computer, and $3,000 will be awarded to the second through fifth runners-up. The second and third runners-up will also receive a computer; the fourth runner-up will receive a tablet phone. Sixth through 15th place finalists will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, with 12 finalists receiving a $1,500 scholarship each. Thirty-two semi-finalists will walk away with a $1,000 scholarship.
Two students, one from the Family Islands and another from New Providence, who would have been semi-finalists if the Foundation and Awards Committee had the money to award them the disbursement, will also be the recipients of computers.
An independent panel of judges is expected to review the portfolios of the 118 students nominated to represent their respective schools from throughout the country and determine the winners. Judges will select winners based on the merits of the achievements documented in the students' portfolio, which will include transcripts, essays, letters of recommendations and copies of awards. Students will be judged without regard to the schools they attend, color, creed, religious affiliation, nationality or family heritage.
Winners will be announced on Saturday, May 24 at the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries on Carmichael Road. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.
"Each year a select group of students are nominated to accept one of the most prestigious national recognition for primary school students in this country. This awards program, which is the premier program for primary students is an excellent opportunity to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability, campus and community involvement and good citizenship," said Ricardo P. Deveaux, president and chief executive officer of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.
Children are awarded a one-time financial scholarship payable to a Bahamian educational institution for secondary school purposes only. The recipient has one year to access the award. The number of awards meted out annually depends on the number of corporate and civic donors that support the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program.
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 Deveaux, who 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. Deveaux was one of seven finalists in the 1992 Florida College Student of the Year Awards Program. Deveaux himself had flunked out of a private high school in 1983, and was motivated to provide an opportunity for students who are striving for excellence.
The judges assembled to identify the winner and scholarship finalists include Jacqueline Bethel, chairman; Autherine Turnquest-Hanna, deputy chairman; Philip Stubbs, chief tally judge; Beryl Armbrister, Rubyann Darling, Zelma Dean, Lionel Elliott, Tanya Wright, Sister Mary Benedict Pratt, Philip Simon, Barry Wilmott, Nakera Simms-Symonette and Stuart Howell.
According to Deveaux, the judges had a difficult task identifying the 2014 winners, as each nominee was qualified to be selected as the student of the year.

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

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian