At an award ceremony at CedarBridge Academy on Thursday night, 77 students received scholarships for college.

The Scholarships and Awards Committee received 507 applications this year ? the largest amount ever in the long history of the awards.

?There has been bad public relations (PR) about young people,? committee chairperson Lt. Colonel David Burch said. ?The vast majority are doing better. The minority who have gone off the beaten track are getting the PR.?

Education Minister Terry Lister revealed $1.8 million was handed out this year, again, the largest amount in the event?s history.

?The quality of the students was outstanding,? Mr. Lister said. ?We are very proud of the young people in this room. You are recognised as being the best in the country.?

Eight ?Bermuda Government Scholars? ? Rosita Bassett, Zuri Darrell, Zayna Foggo-Osseyran, Nicole Elizabeth Mitchell, Andrew Mark Robinson, Arnario Kenrick Shillingford, Vanessa Joan Smith and Shammah Ontario Williams ? each received $25,000 to go toward their education.

Former Berkley student Rosita Bassett, 19, said she felt very privileged to be able to study Nursing at Hampton University in Virginia.

?To be chosen out of 507 applicants is very encouraging,? Ms Bassett said. ?It is good that the country will do something to help the youth.?

Eight new teachers will come back to the Island to spread their knowledge among the young people ? Anthony Bascome, Natosha Butterfield, Karen Carlington, Jimnieta Fray, Calvin Hayward, Dawn Santucci-Smith, ShaeVonne Simmons and Patrina Swan all elected to study education.

And another 61 other students became first time recipients of further education awards, UK fee differential and interest-free student loans.

Many parents, relatives and friends were on hand at the award ceremony to cheer the students on.

A range of age groups were on display this year as some mature students received scholarships to go back to school as well.

One of many excited school leavers at the ceremony, DeJuan Seymour, was flying off to college to learn how to be an airline pilot.

?This is a good start, to learn you have support. It is a real confidence builder,? Mr. Seymour said.