Some of Bermuda's most talented students last night picked up awards worth a total of hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them get the best possible education.

Government scholarships — which cover full tuition, room and board and travel to a value of tens of thousands of dollars a year each — were handed out to eight students by Education Minister Randolph Horton.

Three more picked up teacher training awards worth $15,000 each; four got $15,000 mature student awards.

There were 20 first-time recipients of further education awards and student loans.

The Minister said in a speech at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess: "This is a very significant time, when we look at what's happening in the world and the importance of having young people prepared to take their rightful places in society."

Mr. Horton said the students had shown hard work and commitment to improve themselves, and the courage to move on.

He told them: "Come back to this wonderful Island country and share with those who haven't had the opportunity of the skills you have learned.

"(Come back and share) the knowledge you have learned in order to make Bermuda a better place than what it is today."

Saltus graduate Joshua Bean, 17, who will be heading to Alabama University with a Government scholarship, told The Royal Gazette: "It will make a huge difference as my brother and sister are both in school as well — I'm grateful for it."

Fellow former Saltus pupil Harry Masters, 18, now studying at the University of North Carolina, said: "It's definitely an honour to represent my country in this way and to receive a scholarship from Government."

Other Government scholarship winners: Ade Brown, Anna Brewin, Oliver Riihiluoma, Kaliane Marshall, Brittney Walbaum and Zenika Simons.

Teacher training awards: O'Jeanna Mae Furbert, Leroy Francis and Linda Simmons.

Mature student awards: Tina Foote, Tina Laws, Robert Lewis and Julita Peniston.

First-time recipients of further education awards and student loans: Conchita Amory, Ralph Bassett, Vanessa Bean, Romeika Brangman, Rasheeda Burgess, Leticia Smith, Kellena Douglas, Vincent Greaves;

Dannielle Leverock, Jana Outerbridge, Jared Outerbridge, Johnae Perinchief, Kara Richardson, Rochee Richardson, Sacha Simpson;

Pashe Douglas-Sampson, Stefan Smith, Jabar Tuzo-Smith, Tina Wall and Jevon Williams.