The first winner of a hospitality industry scholarship renamed in memory of a man killed in a New Year’s Day boat crash was announced yesterday.

Jasmaine Adams said that she was keen to show she was the right choice for the $25,000 Bermuda Hotel Association Adrian Hassell Memorial Scholarship. Ms Adams added: “I’m willing to work hard.

“I just want to introduce new things to the hospitality world and show that Bermuda can shine.”

She was speaking as the scholarship was handed over at a ceremony at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

The award was named after a 24-year-old industry worker who died after the boat he was on hit rocks off the West End on January 1.

The Bermuda Hotel Association scholarship was renamed in his honour in April.

The annual award is given to a Bermudian studying hospitality-related subjects abroad.

Ms Adams, 20, who studies hospitality management at Southern Adventist University, Tennessee, said she fell in love with the industry when she worked in the accounts department and guest services at Grotto Bay.

She added that she wants to return to Bermuda to further her career after she graduated.

Ms Adams, from St George’s, said: “I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Christopher Hassell, Adrian’s father, said Ms Adams was the right choice for the award.

He added: “I think she’ll really do justice to the scholarship.”

Mr Hassell told Ms Adams to show the same “positive energy” for the hospitality industry that his son had done.

He said: “If you do a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

“Adrian loved the industry.”

Adrian was a concierge agent at the Hamilton Princess and a former winner of the BHA scholarship.

Tim Morrison, the general manager of the Hamilton Princess and the president of the BHA, said Ms Adams was “highly motivated, hard-working and eager to learn”.

He added: “We were extremely impressed with her application, which demonstrated a wide variety of talents, skills and enthusiasm.

“We are confident that she has what it takes to flourish in the world of hospitality.”

Mr Morrison said Adrian was a “beloved colleague”.

He added: “We are proud that Adrian’s love for Bermuda and his passion for the hospitality industry will live on through this scholarship and help others to follow in his footsteps.”

Don Philip, Ms Adams’s father, said: “Jasmaine will not let you down because she has not let us down.”