AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA SA has awarded the 2021AXA XL Scholarship to Bermuda National Debate Team captain and recently graduated Saltus Grammar School Head Prefect, Ywione Darrell.

He was selected from a list of more than 30 applicants for the scholarship.

The 18-year old, who will be majoring in Economics at King’s College London in the UK, begins in September and plans to obtain a Political Economy degree.

The four-year, full scholarship was open to students who are Bermudian or hold Permanent Resident Certificate status and are working toward a degree in (re)insurance industry related studies.

Described by a Saltus advisor as “a genuine all rounder”, Ywione excelled academically throughout his time at the school.

In his final year, despite juggling a full and demanding workload, he ranked in the Upper 10 percent of his year group as he achieved an overall GPA of 3.93out of 4 and earned“A” and above in all 9 IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations, including Mathematics, Economics, English Language, English Literature, History, Chemistry, Physics, French and Spanish.

He also received high AP (Advanced Placement) grades, scoring 5 (the highest mark) in six of eight subjects such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, English Literature and Composition and English Language and Composition, earning him an AP Scholar with Distinction Award.

Ywione graduated with distinction and received six prizes: PwC Bermuda Headstart Award of Excellence for being the most promising student in Economics, Business and Accounts, The Michelle Outerbridge Award for Debate for contribution to both debating and the school in general, and subject prizes for AP Macroeconomics, AP US History, AP French and Philosophy and Ethics.

In addition to his academic achievements, Ywione was elected Head Prefect by his peers and teachers after campaigning to bring more internship and mentoring opportunities to students.

He has also been involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. This includes track and field, football, volleyball, Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Saltus’ Drama Ensemble, and the school’s Gold Key (Student Ambassador) program.

He has also served as the student coach for senior and middle school debate teams at Saltus. This year, he attracted his largest group of middle school debaters since his appointment and played an instrumental role in preparing them for the Bermuda Debate Society’s National Tournament.

Outside of school activities, Ywione was the captain of the Bermuda National Debating Team for two consecutive years and successfully participated in several international competitions.

With a strong interest in economics, politics, and social justice, Ywione was the Social Media Coordinator for Black Lives Matter Bermuda and interviewed Premier David Burt on television, prior to the last general election.

He has also volunteered at the Matilda Smith Williams Rest Home with the Alpha Beautillion Program.

Ywione is the son of Onika Darrell and the grandson of McLeitha Darrell of Paget.

He is also the grandson of Keith Richardson and the great nephew of Melinda Williams of Hamilton Parish.

AXA XL Scholarship Committee Chairperson Carol Parker Trott said: “Each year we look forward to meeting a diverse group of scholarship applicants and this year we were once again impressed with the calibre of candidates who were shortlisted.

“We unanimously selected Ywione who, in addition to fully meeting the scholarship criteria, demonstrated academic agility, intellectual curiosity and emotional maturity throughout the interview process.

“We are certain that given his critical thinking, oratorical and natural leadership skills, he will represent AXA XL and Bermuda well throughout his university career and beyond.”