For the smallest student with the tallest hope and highest ambition, the Primary Student of the Year Awards is the Super Bowl of studies — winning one of the awards is as important a lifelong bragging right as beating the Lakers and Celtics combined to walk away with the all-time NBA championship.
“It just doesn’t get any more important than this at the primary school level and it’s such a healthy competition,” said Cyndi Williams-Rahming, Chairman of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation that created the award scheme more than a decade ago and has been building on it ever since, offering more prizes for outstanding students who come from government and independent schools across the country every May.
This year, winning students will have even more to smile about, thanks to a generous donation from Caribbean Bottling Company (Bahamas) Ltd. It’s the fourth consecutive year the leading non-alcoholic beverage bottling company has contributed to the cause and Williams-Rahming, who is also Caribbean Bottling’s Customer Service & PR Manager, says it is part of the company’s commitment to youth and national development.
“Educating the population is extremely in the development of any progressive society,” said Williams-Rahming, “Caribbean Bottling has maintained a commitment to education and is pleased to partner with the Foundation in rewarding the efforts of the country’s best and brightest students.” In addition to partnering with the bottlers of Coca-Cola and other corporate donors, the Foundation partners with the Pan-Hellenic Council.
This year’s awards show is expected to draw hundreds of students and while dozens will receive special mention and accolades for outstanding academic performance, one student will be singled out as the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year. The recipient must have also demonstrated exceptional leadership ability, be involved in campus and community programs and be the embodiment of an all around good citizen. Event organizers are grateful for corporate donations like Caribbean Bottling’s.
“In order for the program to be a success and to provide the sponsorships, airline tickets and prizes we rely heavily on the continued support of corporate sponsors and we are pleased that Caribbean Bottling Company has come to the forefront once again in such a tangible way,” said Ricardo P. Deveaux, President of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation. “It is an equally special time for the students who receive these gifts as they sincerely appreciate the gesture and the interest the wider community displays in their educational achievements. As a result, they are further encouraged to aim for excellence.”
Diane Phillips & Associates
