The Fairmont Southampton has awarded Ciara Talbot $5,000 towards her studies at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where she will study to become a neonatal physician.

Having completed her studies, Ms Talbot, of Southampton, plans to return to Bermuda and devote her practice to the community.

She is one of two award recipients of this year's John Williams Post-Graduate Scholarship for children and grandchildren of Fairmont employees. Ms Talbot is the daughter of Roberta Talbot, an employee of The Fairmont Southampton.

"We are very pleased for Ciara and for the people of Southampton to receive this honour," said Nelda Simons, regional director of human resources with The Fairmont Southampton. "This award demonstrates Fairmont's care and appreciation of its colleagues worldwide and recognizes the hard-working contributions of our colleagues here at The Fairmont Southampton."

The other scholarship winner is Carly Hayashikawa, daughter of Eric and Corajean Hayashikawa, employees of The Fairmont Orchid in Hawaii. Ms Hayashikawa is studying at The University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she will complete her Masters of Education in Teaching. Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of the children and families in her Hawaiian community as an elementary school teacher.

The John Williams Post-Graduate Scholarship for children and grandchildren of Fairmont employees was established in 2008. Following a 45-year career in the hotel business, Mr. Williams retired from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, where he held the position of executive vice-president of operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Throughout his career Mr. Williams was been a strong contributor and leader with industry associations, tourism authorities and the business community.

In an effort to encourage the further education and development of top talent, Mr. Williams and the Fairmont Foundation initiated an annual scholarship for the children and grandchildren of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Raffles Hotels International employees enrolled in post-graduate studies. Two post-graduate scholarships of $5,000 are awarded annually to the eligible dependents of a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and/or a Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc. employee.