Hines and Richardson awarded ACE scholarships

The ACE Foundation – Bermuda is pleased to announce this year’s award recipients:

JayLynn Hines is the 2013 Robert Clements/ACE Scholar

JayLynn, a graduate of Bermuda High School (BHS), was selected from a competitive field of over 60 candidates as the 2013 Robert Clements/ACE Scholar. She will commence her undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Geography, at the University of Toronto in September. Her decision to pursue this course of study was prompted by her passion for Bermuda and her desire to contribute to the success of the local economy. On completion of her degree JayLynn plans to return to Bermuda to pursue a career in the insurance industry.

During her BHS career JayLynn served as Head Girl, captained the BHS undefeated softball team earning the Most Valuable Player award for four years consecutively, and led her peers in a community initiative to give food and clothing to the homeless in Hamilton. She was active in school productions providing technical and lighting expertise for the Schools Eco Runway projects and theatrical performances.

JayLynn is an accomplished athlete. She was scouted by the Tuff Dogs softball team becoming one of the youngest players and one of the only women on the team. She has played in the Bermuda Netball Association’s Senior League and was a respected member of the BHS interschool netball, track and field, basketball and football teams. JayLynn is a talented equestrian and has represented Bermuda both locally and internationally at horse riding competitions in Germany, South America, and the Caribbean. She has worked as a camp counselor and riding instructor at Spicelands Riding Centre and volunteers her time and expertise at Bermuda Equestrian Federation events. Her entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her decision in 2011 to open and operate her own horse riding business offering riding lessons and coaching to young children.

JayLynn was named the 2013 Bermuda Outstanding Teen for Leadership acknowledging the commitment she has shown to her community and sports teams. She recently received the Institute of Chartered Accountants Award as an outstanding student in the areas of academics, leadership, school spirit and community involvement.

“With such a talented pool of candidates selecting a single recipient is a challenging process.” said Lori Samson, Trustee of the ACE Foundation – Bermuda. “JayLynn was selected as the Robert Clements/ACE Scholar not simply because of her academic achievements. Her strong work ethic, determination, community involvement and diverse talents impressed the Committee. JayLynn absolutely embodies those qualities that we look for in a Robert Clements/ACE Scholar and we are extremely proud to welcome her to the ACE Scholars family.”

About the Robert Clements/ACE Scholarship

Since the inception of the Robert Clements/ACE Scholarship in 1996 years ago, the ACE Foundation – Bermuda has supported 24 Bermudian students with their studies through the Robert Clements/ACE scholarship and other discretionary awards. During that time the Foundation has invested in excess of $2 million in the education of young Bermudians to help them prepare for professional careers in Bermuda’s insurance industry and other fields.

The Robert Clements/ACE Scholarship is a fully-funded four-year scholarship open to Bermudians studying for an undergraduate or graduate degree in insurance, risk management, actuarial science or other disciplines related to the insurance industry including accounting, law and economics.

The scholarship allows Bermudian students the opportunity to study for a degree without financial worry. As part of this scholarship, students are offered employment opportunities during the holidays to provide them with relevant work experience. A condition of the scholarship is that recipients must be willing to return to Bermuda on completion of their studies to pursue their career.

Eden Richardson is the 2013 ACE/Bermuda College Education Award Recipient

Eden Richardson graduated from the Bermuda College in May with an Associate of Science degree in Biology. She will commence a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine in the United Kingdom at the University of Leicester in September and plans to work as an emergency physician when she returns to Bermuda. Eden has pursued her interest in the sciences and urgent care field through her studies at the Bermuda College, internships at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS), and work experience in the Corange Science Laboratories at the Bermuda College as a student volunteer.

As a volunteer with the St. John Ambulance Brigade she serves as a medic and is responsible for logistics coordination between the Ambulance and external event organizers. Eden’s dedication to her role as Duty Officer and Advanced Medical First Responder earned her the St. John Ambulance Volunteer of the Year award in 2012. She has shown tremendous dedication to medical calling and initiated blood drives on campus encouraging students and faculty members to become regular donors.

During her time at the Bermuda College Eden’s achievements were recognized on the Presidents List for outstanding academic performance, and she was named the Corange Science Scholar for 2011. Eden held many student positions including Chief Editor for Real Talk, the Bermuda College student newsletter; Teaching Assistant in the College’s Biology department; and Student Employee in the Business Office and Department of Communications. She looks forward to returning to Bermuda and realizing her childhood dream of becoming an emergency physician and making a positive impact on the community.

Samantha Froud, Chief Administration Officer, Bermuda Group, and member of the ACE Bermuda College Education Award selection committee said, “ACE is delighted to continue its partnership with the Bermuda College and to provide this education award. The Bermuda College graduates we interviewed were pursuing a variety of subjects and all of them were excellent candidates. Eden stood out as she demonstrated a strong passion and commitment to becoming a physician and returning to Bermuda to pursue her career. ACE looks forward to helping her achieve that goal.”

About the ACE/Bermuda College Education Award

The ACE/Bermuda College Education Award provides $15,000 a year for two years to the successful Bermuda College graduate to assist them with the continuation of their undergraduate studies overseas. Since inception, six Bermudian students have benefitted from the Education Award.

The ACE/Bermuda College Education Award was launched in 2008 as one component of a partnership formed between ACE and the Bermuda College. The goal of the partnership is to expose students to a business environment and prepare them for a successful career by helping them understand the connection between their studies and the workplace. This is achieved through mentoring, Success Strategies classes, networking events, and employment opportunities.