Bermuda-based reinsurance company, Overseas Partners Ltd. (OPL), has presented another 16 Bermuda students with scholarships for the upcoming academic year -- bringing the total number of students who have benefitted from the firm's scholarship programme to 24.

The scholarships were handed out by OPL president and CEO Bruce Barone during the Second Annual Overseas Partners Headmasters Programme Awards Ceremony and reception, held at the reinsurer's Par-La-Ville Road offices.

Mr. Barone said the OPL Headmasters Programme Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, activities in and out of school and financial need.

The participating schools are Saltus Grammar School, The Bermuda High School for Girls, Warwick Academy and Mount St. Agnes.

The four schools nominate students and OPL selects the final list. This year, four students from each institution received scholarships, covering expenses for one scholastic year.

Mr. Barone, who spearheaded the awards scheme, clarified the company's intentions.

He said, "Overseas Partners is proud to acknowledge these outstanding young students and to make a contribution to their education.

"These young men and women are representatives of a generation of Bermudians who will, in time, join, and later manage, the international business industry we are helping to build now.'' OPL's work with the Headmaster Programme is just part of the firm's corporate commitment to charities and organisations that are focused on preserving and supporting families and young people.

Mr. Barone said, "Overseas Partners sees these awards as an investment in Bermuda's future. These students are among the Island's brightest and best. We expect great things from them.'' EDUCATION PARTNERS -- Private high school students (pictured) who have won scholarships from Overseas Partners Ltd. include those: from Saltus Grammar School, Dennis Hall, Hannah Harrison, Rotimi Martins and Matthew Wissing, joining last year's winners Chrisanthi Bartley, Keith Caines, Auralee Cassidy and Juliette Oakley; from Bermuda High School for Girls, Keely Blevin, Jessica Frith, Karen Jones and Amanda Neale-Robinson (joining Vanessa George, Sophia Greaves, Jenia Thompson and Sacha Llewellyn); from Mount St. Agnes Academy, Victoria Amaral, Deanna Kiernan, Sarah Lusher and Krystle DeSilva; and, from Warwick Academy, Heldar Carreiro, Christine Mayor, Emma Rego and Shanay Scott.