Seventeen students have been announced for this year’s Future Leaders summer induction programme.

David Burt noted that the 2017 Future Leaders programme and the “outstanding” team founded by Ryan Robinson Perinchief had unlocked the potential of 86 future leaders over the course of five summer programmes.

The Premier said the programmes had educated candidates on key matters confronting the island and furnished them with “the skills and knowledge to effect positive change”.

He added: “The Government of Bermuda is proud to support this programme as we have since it commenced.

“We will again commit $25,000 from the Cabinet Office budget to ensure that today's students can participate without worrying about the cost.”

Mr Burt pointed to graduates Seon Tatem and McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett, now assistant directors for the organisation, as examples.

“I call on the community to support them, not only over the next three weeks of this programme, but beyond.”

Mr Tatem said he was proud to return for a third year as assistant director.

He said the programme would allow participants to “deeply” explore subjects from poverty to social justice and activism, accumulating 90 hours of curriculum activity and community service.

“Beyond our summer programme, it would be remiss of me not to mention our wider organisation, Future Leaders Bermuda, which as registered charity 1009 has been fortunate enough to receive the support of HSCM Bermuda, our platinum corporate sponsor since 2021.”

This year’s programme theme will highlight the late labour organiser and trade unionist LaVerne Furbert, who Mr Tatem said was “never afraid to use her voice in expressing her truth and opinions in pursuit of justice and fairness for all”.

Participants this year are:

The Berkeley Institute: Elias Baia and Jentle York;

CedarBridge Academy: Jamir Hatherley and Daejun Butterfield;

Bermuda High School: Harmony Seymour;

Somersfield Academy: Anayah Curtis;

Warwick Academy: Teizh Hall, Henok Simons and Zadok Simons;

The Bermuda Institute: Kanon Gibbons-Lewis, Kaleb Harris and Malachi Lightbourne;

Sandys Secondary Middle School: Ki’Rico Hall;

Northwest: Aiyara Best;

Penn Foster: Kingston Lekki;

South Charlotte Middle: Mayan McKeown;

Providence High School: Jaden McKeown-Alexander.