A trio of university students with a passion for the environment were given cash awards from a conservation charity today to fund their education for the year.

The Bermuda Zoological Society awarded Freyja Kermode a BZS Steinhoff Scholarship and the Pye Scholarship.

Alfred “Trey” Maybury and Jessica Godfrey were also given BZS Steinhoff Scholarships.

Ms Kermode, 20, said: “The financial support from the Steinhoff family, the Pye family and BZS means that I can continue my academic career.

“I am very thankful to be awarded this scholarship, as it makes my university experience possible.”

Ms Kermode is in her third year of a four year Master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Southampton in Britain.

Ms Kermode, who is taking online classes, said that her goal was to teach youngsters about the importance of ocean conversation through schools programmes across the island.

Mr Maybury, 20, is in his final year at the University of Maryland, College Park in the United States and is studying animal sciences with a minor in Spanish.

He said: “It is my hope that after I graduate, I will go on to complete veterinary school and return to the island to practice.”

Mr Maybury added: “I would like to sincerely thank the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship committee for selecting me as a recipient and look forward to continuing my studies with the help of this award.”

Ms Godfrey, also 20, is studying for a Master’s in industrial and commercial biotechnology at Newcastle University in the UK.

She said: “I am extremely grateful to be awarded the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship, in order to pursue my studies and help further my career.

“In the future I hope to pursue a career in Marine Biotechnology.

“I will use the knowledge I gain from my Master’s and apply it to marine diseases, in order to gain a greater understanding of diseases that affect the coral reefs around Bermuda.”

The Steinhoff Scholarship was established in 2009 by Robert Steinhoff, a former BZS president, to provide educational opportunities for those in pursuit of an environmental science degree.

The scholarship offers as much as $10,000 to each recipient each year based on their commitment to protecting the environment as well as their academic achievement.

Mr Steinhoff said: “I am very pleased with our choice in recipients this year. They will make excellent future stewards of our environment.

“I wish all of the recipients success in their future studies and in achieving their career goals.”

The Pye Scholarship, established in memory of marine biology enthusiasts John and Karen Pye, is awarded to summer interns at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo alongside with the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship.

The Pye awards are often awarded to Bermudian or Canadian university students, but a BZS spokeswoman said that the committee decided to target a Bermudian student this year.

Colin Brown, the president of the BZS, said: “We greatly appreciate the work of the Steinhoff family and the Pye family and their support of environmental education.

“Without them these scholarships would not exist nor the opportunity to assist scholars who are dedicating their postsecondary education to environmental cause.”

He added: “All three of our recipients this year are exceptional and impressed the scholarship committee in their academic excellence and perseverance towards their goals.

“We wish them every success in their coming year.”