Sadia Wilson has received the Sir Harry D Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship from Butterfield Bank.

Ms Wilson, 19, of Devonshire, is enrolled at the University of Bristol in England, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in cellular molecular medicine. She hopes to become a dental surgeon to help combat poor dental hygiene and the resulting oral ailments.

She is a passionate gymnast and has won medals for Bermuda and England. She said: “I am applying the same drive to working towards becoming a dental surgeon that I have successfully applied to becoming an elite gymnast.”

The award has an annual value of $25,000 and is tenable for up to four years. It is given to a Bermudian student commencing or already pursuing a degree overseas at an accredited university.

The scholarship has been offered every year since 1978 in honour of Butterfield’s late chairman and former Rhodes Scholar, whose career in public and business life was dedicated to the betterment of Bermuda and Bermudians, the bank said.

Butterfield also announced scholarships have been awarded to Barisse Griffin, of The Bahamas, and Canadian Alexander Yang.

Ms Griffin receives the Butterfield Post-Graduate Scholarship, while Mr Yang is the recipient of the Atlantic Undergraduate Scholarship for Employees’ Children.

The postgraduate scholarship is available to students in all ten Butterfield jurisdictions globally who are studying disciplines related to the preservation and improvement of island environments at accredited institutions, Butterfield said.

The scholarship for employees’ children is awarded to a child of a Butterfield employee who is commencing or already pursuing a degree at an accredited institution, the bank said.

One scholarship is awarded in each of three regions: Atlantic, comprising Bermuda and Canada; Caribbean, comprising the Cayman Islands and The Bahamas; and Europe for Guernsey, Jersey, the UK, Switzerland, Mauritius and Singapore.

Each year, Butterfield selects scholarship recipients from among hundreds of deserving applicants. Criteria used in selecting scholarship recipients include academic achievement, financial need, character, leadership qualities, civic attainment and involvement, and achievements in non-curricular activities including the arts and sports.

McKeisha Smith, chairman of Butterfield’s scholarship committee, said: “Butterfield attracted a large pool of talented, deserving young candidates for this year’s scholarships.

“Sadia, Barisse and Alex all demonstrated unwavering passion for their chosen fields of study, exceptional leadership abilities and a commitment to make a positive impact on their communities.

“We are delighted to assist them in their pursuit of higher education, and excited to follow their career progress. Congratulations to all three recipients. We wish them all the best in their studies.”