Students in their final year of university have been given a helping hand, thanks to the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot Charity Classic.

This year — the 15th anniversary of the golf tournament — the committee decided to extend its charity work to those deserving in education. As a result, nine Bermudian students are to share a record $175,000 to assist them financially in their last two years of college.

Clement Talbot, chairman of the RBTC and son of Ross 'Blackie' Talbot, said the inaugural Education Awards would serve the "tremendous need in the community for more financial educational assistance for our youth".

He said: "Without these scholarships a lot of these students would not have been able to complete the last two years of their studies. It's unfortunate that in a very prosperous country like Bermuda we have students who will find it difficult to find the funds for the last two years."

In a presentation ceremony at the Bank of Bermuda yesterday, Mr. Talbot said: "These scholarships are a salute to the success of our 15th anniversary golf tournament and the RBTCC's 'Ultimate Raffle', which was so overwhelmingly supported by the community at large and our valued sponsors."

Focusing on the theme of 'Educating our Youth', Mr. Talbot said he had set up the awards assisted by Dr. Duranda Greene (President of Bermuda College), Sheridan Talbot (Bermuda College Dean of Students), Michelle Simmons (Principal of Berkeley Institute), Wayne Jackson (RBTC deputy chairman) and Jeanne Atherden, chairwoman of the awards selection committee.

He said research had established there was "an urgent need" to help students who were obtaining good grades but who were "being seriously challenged to find the money to pay for their last two years of university".

Mrs. Atherden said: "We were very enthused about the diversity of these students' career choices, and in spite of personal challenges they came through with good grades. We look forward to these students coming back and taking a part in Bermuda society."

Bank of Bermuda CEO Philip Butterfield said: "There is nothing more important for our jurisdiction than young persons willing to take the responsibility to learn, and once having learned to share that responsibility with others."

He told the scholarship winners: "I can only offer you one bit of advice — be curious because when you're curious you will learn, and once having learned, come back and help us to continue our success."

The recipients of the awards are: Dominique Anderson (Dean College — Dance/Business); Samantha Botelho (Mount Saint Vincent — Business); Tresa Fubler (Clark Atlanta University — Business); Melissa Haynes (Temple University — Chemistry); Nicole Outerbridge (Xavier University of Louisiana — Biology); Samantha Savoury (Atlanta A & M — Education/Reading); Rosina Simons (Mount Saint Vincent — Hospitality); Ricaal Thompson (West Virginia University — Education/Social Work); Leiah Tuzo (Mount Saint Vincent — Psychology). The Education Awards will now become an annual part of the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot Charity Classic.

Over the years it has raised more than $2 million for 55 Bermudian charities.