The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) has awarded US$50,000 in scholarships to 10 Bahamian students pursuing a higher education or professional development in hospitality and tourism after receiving more than 60 applications. In total, CHTAEF awarded US$136,308 in scholarships to 29 Caribbean nationals.
Scholarship recipients are either starting their studies or continuing their education in various specialities in the hospitality industry. The 2014 scholarship winners from The Bahamas are as follows and includes the courses or degrees they are pursuing along with the schools they will be attending:
• Chara Darceuil (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, BS Hotel Management, Florida International University
• Kirvez E. Ferguson (Bahamas) – FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Brittany Hanna (Bahamas) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, BS Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Rache Josey (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Kara Manouzi (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, Master of Science, Hospitality Management, Florida International University
• Nastassia Sears (Bahamas) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, B.S. Culinary Arts with major in Resort Management, Johnson and Wales, North Miami
• Latreia Smith (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Associate Pastry Arts, Johnson and Wales
• Domonique Sturrup (Bahamas) FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, BS Baking and Pastry Arts, Johnson and Wales, Providence
• Kenia Taylor (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, BS Hotel Management, Florida International University
• Blaire Thompson (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Bachelor Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales, North Miami
“This year’s applicant pool was comprised of a talented group, all of who deserve to receive funds towards their education so that they may become productive individuals working in the vital Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Richard S. Kahn, chairman of CHTAEF.
“We are only limited by the funds we’ve been able to generate from corporate donors such as Interval International, Virgin Holidays and FirstCaribbean International Bank as well as The New York Times Travel Show auction where hotel stays are donated from across the Caribbean,” Kahn said, adding:
“We congratulate all of our scholarship recipients and thank our generours sponsoring companies, hotels and resorts and individuals without whose support the scholarships would not be possible.”
Scholarships were awarded based on prior academic achievements, previous work or internships in the Caribbean hospitality industry and economic needs.
CHTA Education Foundation
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established in 1987 as a stand-alone non-profit / tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism.
As part of its mission, the Education Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development.
Since 1987, the Education Foundation has awarded approximately US$2 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry.
The Education Foundation is also active in supporting Haitian students & industry personnel following the devastating earthquake in January 2010 by facilitating a holistic Spoken English/ Practical Hospitality Skills training project in Port au Prince, leading to Haitian students moving to various Caribbean colleges to study for their Associates and Bachelors degrees, so able to return home and be major catalysts in the uplift of Haitian tourism.
For more information, visit www.chtaeducationfoundation.com or www.Facebook.com/CHTAEducationFoundation, call (571) 436-4386
Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) facilitates the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving members’ needs and building partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. CHTA is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality industry for the development of the region in the highly competitive and sophisticated environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely recognized as a pivotal industry in the economy of the region – and CHTA functions as the common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse nationalities, languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshaling the resources of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents all facets of the hospitality industry with more than 600 member hotels and over 300 allied members.
CHTA, including the events staged by the association, is supported by Strategic Partners MasterCard, Interval International, OBM International, HVS, Tambourine and TravelZoo.
For more information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. Follow CHTA on Facebook Facebook.com/CaribbeanHotelandTourismAssociation and Twitter Twitter.com/CHTAFeeds.
