Two teenagers are about to embark on university and college education courses in North America with the help of an equal share in a $15,000 scholarship from the HWP Group.

Elkeisha Caisey and Cyniqua Anderson, both 18, have been given the perfect start to their overseas academic pursuits after being chosen to share the annual $15,000 Sir John Plowman Scholarship.

Ms Caisey is to study human resource development/psychology at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario, while CedarBridge Academy graduate Ms Anderson has enrolled to study for a degree in information technology at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

The pair qualified to apply for the scholarships as they both have a parent who works at HWP. Each year the scholarship fund sets aside $15,000 to be shared amongst eligible applicants who must have Bermudian status and be either full-time HWP employees of at least five-years standing, or have with a parent employed by HWP with whom they still reside.

Graduating from Berkeley Institute with honours and a bronze medal reflecting her community service at the hospital, Ms Caisey had ambitions to become a teacher until two years ago when she gained work experience in the human resources set-up at CCS Group and became interested in that as a career.

"I got a feel for referencing people and I did work shadowing and decided that was the direction I wanted to go," she said.

Getting a half-share of the $15,000 would "help out" with the cost of studying in Canada, said the teenager.

She said many of her classmates are more focused on careers and the need to study overseas. Ms Caisey admits she is a bit nervous about studying away from Bermuda but is equally eager to get started on the next step of her education which, she hopes, will eventually lead to studying for a masters degree.

The scholarship was established in 1999 in recognition of Sir John Plowman's commitment to support young Bermudians. Sir John was an original partner of HWP.

Current president and CEO Jonathan Brewin said: "Both Cyniqua and Elikeisha are outstanding young women who work hard and are committed to the pursuit of higher education. Cyniqua is the daughter of our CFO Cynthia Anderson, and Elkeisha is the daughter of our receptionist Paula Caisey.

"I am thrilled these young women will benefit from the Sir John Plowman Scholarship."

Michael Plowman, son of Sir John, said: "My father always emphasised the importance of education in achieving one's life goals. Cyniqua and Elkeisha were selected as recipients of the scholarship this year because of their exceptional academic performance to date and their desire to succeed at the college level."