Two Bermudian students have been awarded a combined $55,000 in educational funds as part of Butterfield Bank’s annual scholarship programme.

Tahj Cox received the Sir Harry D Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship in honour of the bank’s late chairman.

Brianna Smith received the Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship for Employees’ Children (Atlantic), one of three regional scholarships available to Butterfield employees who are parents or guardians of a student pursuing post-secondary education.

Mr Cox received $30,000 towards his studies in medicine and surgery at Queen Mary’s University of London.

He is a third-year medical students at the university’s new Malta Campus and plans to specialise in neurology.

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Cox worked for the Bermuda Government’s testing service. In his spare time he is an accomplished pianist and used his talent to raise funds for a mission in Zambia and to entertain seniors at the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence.

Ms Smith will receive $25,000 towards her studies in neuroscience at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York.

A recent graduate of Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Ms Smith is completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold award and is pursuing athletic interests in sailing and Taekwondo, both of which she teaches in Bermuda.

Michael Neff, Butterfield’s managing director, Bermuda, said: “We offer huge congratulations to Tahj and Brianna. They have distinguished themselves as exceptional students and valuable contributors to our community.

“We are pleased to be able to play a part in supporting their future and look forward to following their successes.

“Across the group, Butterfield has invested almost $2.5 million in scholarships over the past five years. We understand the importance of education and we’re proud to empower young people to pursue their aspirations, providing educational opportunities from scholarships and summer internships to our graduate talent programme.”

A number of scholarships are awarded each year under the programme to promising students based on academic excellence, community involvement and sporting attainments, financial need and a candidate’s demonstrated ability to lead.

Applications for the 2023 scholarship programme will open towards the end of this year. For more information on scholarships, internships and other educational and career opportunities, visit www.butterfieldgroup.com.