Students from various Island high schools were praised today at the Bermuda CableVision Community Service Awards presentation for their efforts to give back to the community.

In a ceremony at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), awards were given to seven students by Cablevision CEO Terry Roberson for contributing the most time to various community service projects.

The awards included a celebratory plaque and a $500 bursary.

Minister of Community, Culture and Sports Wayne Scott, who was in attendance, said: “These students are role models not only for their peers but for Bermuda as a whole.

“Their dedication to the community is admirable, especially as they are young people and recent high school graduates who have busy academic schedules.

“I’m especially pleased to come here and see this group of young people getting awards because when you think of dedication and commitment at this stage in their life it speaks volumes on what’s to come.

“We are talking about over 5,000 hours for these young people providing to the community and we are so grateful for your work.”

Junior Minister of Education and Economic Development Leah Scott said: “Volunteers are people who work for the benefit of other individuals and society as a whole, out of free will and without expecting any financial reward for these efforts.

“These students must not only be recognised for working to connect to our community and making it a better place, but they must also be recognised for doing so while managing their academic requirements.

“Each and every one of you deserves recognition and it is my hope that your contribution to our community will serve as inspiration and motivation to others.”

Those recognised were: Gabriella Arnold (Warwick Academy, hundreds of hours of service), Victoria Clarke (Bermuda High School, 662 hours of service), Lewis Foggo (CedarBridge Academy, 702 hours of service), Rashun Robinson (Berkeley Institute, 900 hours of service), LaLique Simmons (Bermuda Institute, 900 hours of service), Brandon Sousa (Mount St Agnes, 245 hours of service) and Yana Thorne (Saltus Grammar School, 300 hours of service).