Three Bermudian students pursuing English language studies overseas have been awarded grants from the Bermuda branch of the English-Speaking Union.

Samantha Binega-Northcott, Kari Pitcher and Amelia Petty each received $5,000.

Penny White, the secretary of the ESU’s Bermuda branch and a member of the scholarship committee, said the organisation offered the grants to three students annually and noted that recipients can be awarded the grant more than once, while an undergraduate.

Ms Binega-Northcott, a first-time awardee, graduated from Somersfield Academy and will be attending the University of York in the UK to study linguistics with an aim of becoming a speech therapist.

She said she was looking forward to starting her first year this autumn.

Ms Binega-Northcott said: “In hindsight, as a lifelong reader and overall lover of language, studying linguistics is an obvious choice.

“However, I originally struggled to decide on a course, considering psychology, and education.

“It wasn’t until I had a chat with my Spanish teacher about etymology that I realised my interest in linguistics could be pursued in university.

“When researching careers in linguistics I stumbled across speech therapy, and fell in love with the field.”

She plans to become a certified speech language pathologist and return to Bermuda to practise.

She said the scholarship from the ESU helped her to reduce the “financial stress of starting university” as well as he ability to pursue her educational and career goals.

Ms Pitcher, a third-time awardee, will be entering her final year at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, also studying English Language and related studies.

She has a passion for writing and will embark on a career as an author upon graduation.

“I’ve been given a wide spread to choose from when it comes to understanding literature from different cultures,” she said.

She said she entered the programme as an English Language and Literature student, although there a creative writing course was available.

Ms Pitcher explained: “It may seem redundant and confusing, when keeping in mind my plan to become a writer.

“However, I went in with an understanding that to fully grasp the art of writing any genre, one must look back on the works of fellow writers to get a better understanding of literature itself.”

Over the past two years, she said she was lucky to explore different facets of work which went into writing poems, memoirs and stories.

“Through various minor challenges, I’ve been able to rely on the presence of my fellows at Brock, and the wonderful support of the English-Speaking Union back home to run along with me to the finish line.”

Ms Petty, another first-time awardee, attended Bermuda High School for Girls prior to being accepted to Liverpool John Moores University in Britain where she will be studying English Language and related studies and arts. She plans to become a teacher.

Her interest in English literature began early, with her love of novels and poetry starting in elementary school.

It grew into a passion that inspired her to study it in university. She thanked the ESU for supporting her further education.

The ESU is an international membership organisation that offers a range of educational and cultural programmes for members, teachers and students — aimed at helping them become confident communicators, critical thinkers and empowered citizens.

The Bermuda branch of the ESU, which was founded in 1922, promotes and sponsors both local and overseas public speaking and debate competitions.

• To learn more about the English-Speaking Union, e-mail bermuda.esu@gmail.com