Hard work has paid off for five Bermudian students who won $25,000 each towards further education in this year’s Nicholl Scholarships.

The programme, in memory of the educational philanthropist Albert Nicholl, will fund studies to a maximum of four years for postgraduate Ryan Topple and undergraduates Kanzi Emery, Maya Luthi, Marli Spriggs and Jezhari Talbot.

Mr Topple, who will pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Warwick in England, recalled learning of his success while on duty at the hospital.

The 22-year-old, who graduated as valedictorian from Dalhousie University in Halifax in May with a Bachelor of Medical Science degree, was working on ambulances back home during school breaks.

Mr Topple, an advanced emergency medical technician from Smith’s, had just returned after dealing with a 911 call when another phone call notified him that he had been successful with the Nicholl Scholarship.

He said: “The adrenalin was still pumping from the emergency when I heard the news, and I felt a wave of relief and excitement, realising that all my hard work over the years had paid off.”

The 2020 Saltus Grammar School graduate said he was “extremely grateful and honoured to have been selected” and thanked the scholarship committee members for their support.

He added: “Their contribution will make a significant difference in my demanding journey throughout medical school.”

Mr Topple said that his “prestigious four-year accelerated course” in England would give “rigorous training and early clinical experiences for those who already hold an undergraduate degree”.

“After qualifying as a doctor, and gaining overseas clinical experience, I plan on returning to Bermuda to serve my community,” he said.

“I look forward to exploring the different medical and surgical specialities during my hospital rotations before deciding which speciality I would like to pursue.”

Ms Emery, also 22, from St David’s, is headed for a Bachelor of Science in sport, health and exercise sciences at the University of Birmingham in Britain.

The CedarBridge Academy graduate said she initially thought nothing of the phone call from an unknown number this summer.

She said that after the demanding process of applying for scholarships, “you sort of let it be and hope for the best outcome”.

Ms Emery added: “A part of growing up is being able to gracefully accept rejection, but oftentimes it can get overwhelming, especially after working hard towards something.”

She said it felt like a weight off her shoulders when she was informed of her success and realised that “sometimes what you become while you’re waiting is just as important as the thing you were waiting for”.

Ms Emery said she spotted the Nicholl programme online and found that it aligned with her achievements and goals.

“This award will give me the benefit of making new professional connections and getting involved in extracurricular activities internationally that I otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do,” she added.

The financial help will enable Ms Emery to focus on academic and professional goals in her studies, which she hopes to finish in June 2025 — to be followed with a physician associate’s degree in the United States.

She said: “My ultimate goal is to return home and serve my community, but I also aspire to gain global experience and explore opportunities beyond Bermuda.”

Ms Luthi, another undergraduate, is pursuing double majors in Chinese, and justice and peace studies, at Georgetown University in the US.

Meanwhile, Ms Spriggs recommended “all students” avail of the Bermuda Scholarships website, where she found out about the Nicholl opportunity.

On hearing of her success, she said: “I felt super proud of myself for being selected, as there were so many amazing applicants.”

The 18-year-old, from Paget, is headed for her second year at the University of Warwick in England this autumn.

Ms Spriggs, who was head girl at Bermuda High School, added that she was “incredibly grateful” to the Nicholl trustees for believing in her.

She is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, with a minor in philosophy.

Ms Spriggs, who also writes a books column in The Royal Gazette, said the award would allow her access to academic materials outside of school, such as extra online courses and professional certifications.

After graduating in 2026, she aims to pursue a master’s degree in either financial economics or financial maths.

She plans to work in actuarial science and has her sights set on overseas experience, particularly in London, but hoped to eventually return to Bermuda’s “fast-paced and renowned” reinsurance industry.

Another undergraduate is Ms Talbot, 20, from the Devil’s Hole community in Smith’s.

She is a 2022 graduate of The Berkeley Institute, and has represented Bermuda internationally in gymnastics at the Island Games, and in track and field at the Carifta Games.

Ms Talbot is headed for a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, accounting and management at the University of Nottingham in Britain, to be completed in 2027.

She told The Royal Gazette: “My mom taught me that we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

“So, after graduation, I plan to return to Bermuda to work and continue to give back to the community that has supported me so much.”

Ms Talbot noted that the awards were named after Albert E Nicholl, known locally as “Nicky”, who came to the island in the First World War as chief examination officer for the Royal Navy Reserve in St George’s.

He took a keen interest in education in Bermuda, with contributions including a former vocational training school, the Nicholl Institute.

Mr Nicholl willed the bulk of his estate to the scholarship fund in his name.

Ms Talbot said: “I felt his commitment to serving the community aligned with my values of community service.”

When told of her success, she was “ecstatic".

She said: “I felt immense gratitude towards the scholarship committee for believing in me and to God for answering my prayers.”

Ms Talbot added: “This scholarship allows me to study and gain international experience in my preferred industry with a placement year abroad.”

She said: “This scholarship is literally bringing the world to me, and I am thrilled.”