By Krystal Knowles Bahamas Information Services
Eighteen-year-old Shavonnia Laing, a graduate of Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama, March 1, became the first recipient of a scholarship from the Dame Ivy Dumont Teacher Education Scholarship Fund, during a ceremony at Government House.
Miss Laing is currently a student at the College of The Bahamas (COB) in Freeport, pursuing a degree in primary education with a 3.13 grade point average (GPA).
She will transfer to the Oakes Field campus of COB in New Providence to study secondary education mathematics.
Mrs. Harriet Pratt, chair of the Dame Ivy Dumont Scholarship Fund, said Miss. Laing was selected from among seven high performing students, which guarantees that she will set high standards for all future awardees.
Governor-General Dame Ivy Dumont commended Miss Laing on her achievement.
She also thanked the Fund's scholarship committee, especially Mrs. Pratt and Miss Elise Delancy, deputy permanent secretary at Ministry of Education, for an "excellent job" in selecting Miss Laing for the scholarship.
"You confirm that bright students are not only found within private institutions but also in the Family Island public school system," Dame Ivy said.
Addressing Miss Laing, the Governor General said: "Even though you transferred from primary education, math education is still good and I am proud that the math programme does not intimidate you.
"Since you grew up with your grandmother from the age of three, I need not
emphasise the importance of family to you."
Dame Ivy also encouraged Miss Laing to engage in volunteer work.
Miss Laing said she was pleased at her selection for the "most prestigious"
scholarship and pledged to perform to the best of her ability.
Dame Ivy served for 27 years in the education field and a total of 43 years in the public service.
Upon her entrance into politics in 1992, Dame Ivy made a lasting mark as Minister of Education through innovative ideas that transformed the educational system.
In recognition of her achievements as a nation builder, the Ministry of Education established a fund after her retirement from politics in 2001.
The Dame Ivy Dumont Teacher Education Scholarships will not exceed $4,500
per annum and are being offered for a maximum period of four years.
The fund was accumulated from the Ministry of Education and various public
service departments.
Funds may be used for payment of registration, tuition, housing, books and
laboratory fees.
Prospective applicants must be a Bahamian citizen, have a minimum of five
Bahamas General Certificates of Secondary Education (BGCSE), demonstrate a
justifiable need, confirm placement as a full time student at the College of
The Bahamas and participate in an interview.
Recipients must be from a Family Island and maintain a minimum of 3.0 (B)
grade point average or higher, studying primary education.
WELL DONE — Governor General Dame Ivy Dumont, (left), greets Miss Shavonnia Laing, an 18-year-old graduate of Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama and the first recipient of a scholarship from the Dame Ivy Dumont Scholarship Fund during a ceremony on March 1, at Government House. Miss Laing will study math education at the College of The Bahamas Oakes Field Campus in New Providence, beginning in September. Also from right are Mrs. Jennie Miller, grandmother of recipent; and Reginald Dumont, husband of the Governor General.
(BIS Photo: Raymond Bethel).
