Government Scholarships for 1997.

The scholarships -- worth $12,500 per year -- are awarded to candidates who consistently demonstrate outstanding academic performance.

They were presented to the students and their parents at The Cabinet Office by Education Minister Jerome Dill and two Board of Education members.

Mr. Dill said the amount of the scholarship was increased from last year.

And he pointed out parents were invited to the ceremony this year because, according to an African proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child.'' Mr. Dill said the students should be proud of their parents for the role they played in their lives.

And parents should be equally proud of their children's accomplishments.

Mr. Dill noted that students -- such as those before him -- were the best and the brightest on the Island and would be called upon later to, "play an even more significant role...'' as future leaders.

The eight students were on a short list taken from a pool of applicants that Mr. Dill said grew larger every year.

Board of Education member Kelly Francis, who was present with Chairman of the Board Debby Graham, said the students had proved themselves to be well rounded young people.

She added it was important to encourage Bermudian students to use their talents on the Island.

Those awarded the scholarships were: Zolita Dill, a 1992 Berkeley Institute graduate, currently studying business at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey; Kina Hill, a 1992 Bermuda Institute graduate, currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree at Oakwood College, Huntsville Alabama; Chernell King, a 1993 Bermuda Institute graduate currently studying Mathematical Science at Bentley College, Waltham, Massachusetts; Keith Swan, a 1992 Warwick Academy graduate, currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree at American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts; Nicholas Pacheco, a 1996 Mount Saint Agnes graduate, currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Andre Raine, a 1992 Saltus Grammar School graduate and 1996 University of Guelph graduate. He will study for a Masters of Science degree in Conservation at University College London, England; Robert Spurling, a 1996 Saltus Grammar School graduate, currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Georgia, Georgia; Zalika Taylor, a 1993 Warwick Academy graduate, currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; SCHOLARLY WAYS -- Education Minister Jerome Dill, at bottom of steps, stands with the 1997 Bermuda Government Scholarship winners. Pictured with Mr. Dill, from bottom, are Kina Hill, Chernell King, Zolita Dill, Nicholas Pacheco, Keith Swan, Andre Raine, Nancy Spurling (the mother of recipient Robert Spurling), and Anthony Taylor (father of recipient Zalika Taylor).