Bank of N.T. Butterfield scholarship winners were announced and celebrated at a reception held at the bank's head office on Monday.

President and CEO of Butterfield Bank Alan Thompson said: "We're very proud of all of this year's winners. All of them have proven that they are committed to furthering their education, and in return, Butterfield Bank is committed to supporting them as they work towards their academic and career ambitions."

Samantha DeCouto won the four year, $20,000 per year 2004 Sir Dudley Spurling postgraduate scholarship, which is awarded to a student who possesses a university degree and is pursuing a postgraduate degree. Ms DeCouto obtained a Bachelor of Science in biology from Franklin and Marshall College in 2000 after graduating from the Bermuda High School for Girls. In April of this year, she earned her masters degree in biomedical science from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and will be returning in the fall to work towards a doctorate in osteopathic medicine.

Paula Finsness was awarded the four year, $20,000 per year Sir Harry D. Butterfield scholarship, which is presented to a student enrolled in his or her first undergraduate programme. Ms Finsness recently graduated from the Bermuda High School for Girls and plans to attend Boston College to study economics in the autumn.

The Butterfield Overseas Education Bursaries, valued at $20,000 per year and tenable for up to two years, are awarded to two students, identified by financial need in addition to academics, who are pursuing either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree oversees.

This year, the bursary recipients are Shammah Williams and Melanie Hitchcock. Mr. Williams graduated from the Bermuda Institute and is studying at Oakwood College towards a degree in biology. Ms Hitchcock graduated from the Bermuda High School for Girls and has complete her first year at Cedarville University in Ohio where she is studying middle childhood education.

Four one-year educational awards, each valued at $10,000 for the upcoming school year were awarded to Saltus Grammar School graduate Aisha Bassett who plans to study biology at McGill University in Montreal, Warwick Academy graduate Nicholas Charlton who is pursuing a biochemistry degree at York University in Toronto, Warwick Academy graduate Jennifer Cabral who has a degree in biochemistry from the University of Tampa and is studying at Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine, and Jennifer Gracie who was educated at both the Bermuda High School for Girls and the Li Po Chung United World College of Hong Kong and will study at the American University in Paris towards a degree in international relations and political science.