Twelve education awards to the tune of $30,000 have been given out this year by the Bermuda Public Services Union.

It marks the BPSU’s 33rd year of “investing in the educational aspirations of its members and their families”, the union said.

A statement added: “This year’s recipients represent a diverse range of academic disciplines and career ambitions.”

Armell Thomas, the BPSU president, attended the ceremony on July 3 with Kevin Grant, the general secretary and Vernon Wears Jr, chairman of the education committee.

Since the inception of the awards, more than $800,000 has been donated to support academia.

Each year, six $1,500 awards are given for local or online studies, while a further six valued at $3,500 each are presented for education overseas.

The local award recipients are:

• Cori Bremar: Bermuda College, business administration

• Dasha Caines: Walden University, Master of Science in Nursing, executive leadership

• Jamir Hatherley: Bermuda College, business administration

• A’nai Jjombwe: Bermuda College, motor vehicle technology

• Tiara Shine: University of Derby, postgraduate in leadership and management

• Uni Simmons: Bermuda College, psychology

Overseas awards were given to:

• Ché-Chulaé Dowling: Jackson State University, dentistry

• Micah Hollis: Nottingham Trent University, architectural technology

• Jordan Mallory: Southampton Solent University, software engineering

• Gianna Lupparelli Nash: Brock University, dramatic arts and psychology

• Ande Simons: Humber College, sport management

• Veronica Swan-DeGraff: St George’s University, Doctor of Medicine

Mr Thomas said: “Education empowers individuals, strengthens families and builds stronger communities.

“We congratulate all this year’s recipients and wish them every success in their studies and beyond.”