Four volunteers have been rewarded for their hours of service in hospital with a cheque for $7,500 each.

The awards were made by the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda for the candy stripers’ service and to support their scholarships.

The four are Jorai Laurenceo, Nahla Woods, Varshini Srinivasan and Syesha Sampson.

Glen Gibbons, the HAB president, said that the organisation was proud to present the sums.

He added: “Eligibility for the awards is based on each student’s hours of service to the HAB, interaction with other volunteers and Bermuda Hospitals Board and HAB staff members, community service and academic performance.

“Our decision was difficult again this year as there are so many deserving applicants.

“However, rather than dilute the amount to be awarded by presenting too many, we decided to award each $7,500 to make a meaningful contribution towards books, travel or wherever the families feel is most needed for their continuing educational journey.”

Mr Laurenceo racked up 161 volunteer hours with candy striping and the experience is expected to support his studies at Ontario Tech University.

He said: “I am honoured to receive the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda candy striper education award.

“Working in a high-volume clinical setting taught me that reliable systems depend on disciplined execution, not occasional effort.

“Supporting fast-paced healthcare flows proved that, whether assisting hospital operations or designing AI governance frameworks, system stability requires embedding compliance from day one.”

Ms Woods, who is studying business administration at Hampton University in Virginia and also completed 161 voluntary hours, said: “I have been a candy striper for the past five years.

“This experience was both rewarding and impactful. It has helped me build valuable skills, such as adapting to new environments.”

With the same volume of volunteer hours was Ms Srinivasan, who is studying at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in Britain.

She said: “Being a candy striper with the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and an experience I will always hold close to my heart.

“Over the past four years, I have come to appreciate that meaningful care is often found not only in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments, a reassuring smile, helping a visitor find their way or simply taking the time to listen.

“These experiences have taught me that compassion, empathy and kindness can leave a lasting impact, even in the smallest interactions.

“The programme has shaped me both personally and professionally, reinforcing my passion for medicine and reminding me that healthcare is, above all, about people.”

Ms Sampson, who registered 143 volunteer hours and is studying at Framingham State University in Massachusetts.

She said: “Volunteering as a candy striper with the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda has been a transformative experience that solidified my passion for clinical psychology.

“This opportunity allowed me to interact with a wide demographic, ranging from anxious paediatric patients to geriatric individuals facing cognitive decline.

“Being a candy striper helped me to develop active listening and empathetic communication skills and helped me to understand the importance of confidentiality.

“I also developed exceptional time management and a strong work ethic.

“Most importantly my experience as a candy striper taught me to work from the heart without seeking recognition.

“It instilled a lifelong commitment to community service that I will carry into all my future academic and professional endeavours.”

The HAB awards scholarships on an annual basis to any candy striper in the programme who has completed a minimum of two years.

The awards may be used for continued studies in Bermuda or at an institution of higher learning abroad.

There are 109 candy stripers enrolled in the HAB programme, which takes in about 40 students annually.

Anyone interested must apply in writing before their 14th birthday. For an application, e-mail sonja.paulos@bhb.bm.