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Teens earn scholarships to study economics, medicine

JayLynn Hines recipient of the Robert Clements/ Ace Scholar 2013 and Eden Richardson recipient of the Ace/Bermuda College Education Award 2013. (Photo by Mark Tatem)

Two of Bermuda’s “leaders of the future” have been awarded scholarships to help them continue their education overseas.Bermuda High School headgirl JayLynn Hines and Bermuda College graduate Eden Richardson picked up the scholarships yesterday from reinsurer ACE for their exceptional academic achievements and selfless community spirit.Ms Hines, who was selected from more than 60 applicants for the Robert Clements/ACE Scholar award, will begin studying for an Economics degree with a minor in Geography at Toronto University in September.A keen sportswoman, the 18-year-old captained the BHS softball team and has represented Bermuda at international horse riding competitions.She has worked as a camp counsellor and riding instructor at Spicelands Riding Centre and volunteers her time and expertise at Bermuda Equestrian Federation events.She has was also active in school theatre productions, worked to help the homeless and even found time to set up her own horse riding business.She was named the 2013 Bermuda Outstanding Teen for Leadership and recently received the Institute of Chartered Accountants Award as an outstanding student in the areas of academics, leadership, school spirit and community involvement.Announcing the award at a ceremony attended by Education Minister Nalton Brangman yesterday, ACE Foundation trustee Lori Samson said: “With such a talented pool of candidates selecting a single recipient is a challenging process.”JayLynn was selected as the Robert Clements/ACE Scholar not simply because of her academic achievements.“Her strong work ethic, determination, community involvement and diverse talents impressed the committee.“JayLynn absolutely embodies those qualities that we look for in a Robert Clements/ACE Scholar and we are extremely proud to welcome her to the ACE scholars family.”Accepting her award, Ms Hines said she was shocked to learn that she had been selected.“I think the only words I managed to get out were ‘no way’,” she said.She also thanked ACE for its generosity in providing the fully-funded four-year scholarship, which is given to students taking degrees in disciplines related to the insurance industry.“Continuing with my studies would have been a lot more difficult for me because funding was an issue,” Ms Hines told The Gazette. “But because of this, I have no worries — it’s such a relief.”Yesterday’s other recipient, Eden Richardson, will be studying medicine at the University of Leicester in September after graduating from Bermuda College with an Associate of Science degree in Biology.The St John Ambulance volunteer was behind a drive to encourage fellow students to become blood donors, was editor of the college newsletter and worked as a teaching assistant at the college’s Biology department.After completing her studies, she plans to return to Bermuda to work as an emergency physician.Samantha Froud of the ACE Bermuda College Education Award selection committee said: “ACE is delighted to continue its partnership with the Bermuda College and to provide this education award.“The Bermuda College graduates we interviewed were pursuing a variety of subjects and all of them were excellent candidates.“Eden stood out as she demonstrated a strong passion and commitment to becoming a physician and returning to Bermuda to pursue her career. ACE looks forward to helping her achieve that goal.”After accepting her award, Ms Richardson, 19, said that, during the interview process, she had wanted to show the panel he “passion for science” and her “commitment to academic studies”.And she said the best way to show her appreciation for the $15,000-a-year award was to continue her studies with the same “commitment, drive and curiosity”.