Students pursuing their dreams in academia, sports and the arts were awarded a total of $30,000 at a youth awards ceremony yesterday.

Jeremy Pinchin, the CEO of Hiscox Re, presented 14 students with certificates on behalf of the Hiscox Charities Committee as part of the company’s tenth anniversary celebrations in Bermuda.

“We are very proud to be a part of the community and to help many of the children who came here today to achieve their very awe-inspiring ambitions and personal goals,” Mr Pinchin told The Royal Gazette.

He said they received a lot of applications but he was more surprised by the extent of the students’ ambitions, and how exciting and diverse some of the challenges were that they had set out to achieve.

“It was encouraging just to see the extent of that ambition.”

Mr Pinchin also wished the students good luck in their endeavours.

“Be an inspiration to your friends and family of how much you can achieve by putting some dedication and effort in to things you are passionate about,” he added.

Recipients of the academic awards included Saltus Grammar School student Magnus Henneberger, 13, Bermuda Institute student Jamere Jervis, 11, and Berkeley Institute student Chiyaro Wedderburn, 15.

Meanwhile, Saltus students Thomas Davidson, 11, and Nirobi Smith-Mills, 13, Bermuda High School student Rose Simmons and Laurel Springs School student Richard “Trey” Mallory, 14, received awards in the sports category.

Arts awards recipients were home-schooled students Ravi Cannonier-Watson, 11, Naphisa Smith, 15, and Sari Smith, 11, along with Berkeley Institute student Jeremiah Samuels, 14, Bermuda Institute student Gabriela Ratteray, 11, Somersfield Academy student Hailey Hayward, 14, and Sandys Secondary Middle School student Jada Phillips, 13.

Neil Speight, the executive director of the Bermuda Cricket Board, extended a special thank you to the company for its support.

“They came here in 2006 and immediately met with me and wanted to see what they could do to help,” he said at the event.

Mr Speight added that Hiscox is now in its tenth year of sponsoring the under 11s cricket league that has more than 200 players.

“They also were our sponsor for the World Cup, when Bermuda qualified for that,” he added. “Their main focus has always been on the development of the children and we have achieved so much through their support.”