The Bank of Bermuda Foundation has handed out more than $950,000 in scholarships to 20 students.

The foundation said it selected the winners based on financial need, academic achievement, diversity and equity.

Tom Conyers, the chairman of the Foundation, told the recipients: “This is just the beginning of a lifelong process of personal growth, acquisition of knowledge and the development of new skills for these students.”

He added: “You can only be personally enriched by the experience before you come home to Bermuda to give back to your community.”

Sanae Russell, who won a scholarship in 2008 and is now an assistant underwriter at insurance giant AXA XL, attended the awards night to explain how her scholarship “changed her life”.

Allison Towlson, the managing director of the Foundation, said: “Sanae is a success story and a testament to the value of investing in our future leaders; she is a positive force for change.

“We look forward to continuing to engage Sanae, as well as all of our scholarship winners, as they continue to pursue their education and professional development.”

Jaire Lawrence Salaam, the winner of the Phil Butterfield Public School Scholarship, said the award would help him to become a civil engineer after study at Dalhousie University in Canada.

Dennis Tucker, the director and chairman of the Scholarships Committee, said: “Students like Jaire are the reason we do what we do, ensuring that as many students as possible have the financial support to secure higher education and in turn pursue their dreams.”

Other recipients were Julia Pimentel, Shantori Fox, Khyah Bagley-Pearman, Mackenzie Paul, Hanna Percy, Harlee Purvey, Rajah Steede, Naomi Proctor, Shannon Davis, Caroline Amaral, Sherkeela Ming, Etteleon Burchall, Allison Parry, Rickie Williams, Jaire Lawrence-Salaam, Zyon Robinson, Hannah King, Shapri Joell, Jehkio Bean-Lightbourne and Seon Tatem.

For more information about Bank of Bermuda Foundation scholarships, visit bankof bermudafoundation.bm.