Four university students have been awarded educational bursaries by the Sandys Parish Council.

Michael Hudson Jr, Sarai Paynter, Kairah Woolaston and Jade Robinson were presented with the awards at a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

“The Sandys Parish Council is pleased to be able to provide financial support to assist four young people in furthering their studies abroad in the US, Canada and the UK,” said Patricia Dill-Chapman, the chairwoman of the Educational Awards Committee.

“In today’s economic climate, every amount benefits them and their parents to cover cost as a student studying and living abroad.

“We wish each of them all the best in their future endeavours as they study in their respective fields of discipline and hopefully return home to become future entrepreneurs or employers and leaders in Bermuda’s workforce industry,” Ms Dill-Chapman said.

Mr Hudson is in his final year of a bachelor’s in business administration in technical management, specialising in accounting, from DeVry University in Florida, while Ms Paynter will be attending the University of Worcester, England, to pursue a foundation degree in mental health.

Ms Woolaston is attending Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, Canada, working towards a bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality management, while Ms Robinson is attending Nova Southeastern University in Florida to obtain a biology degree.

All four of the recipients have agreed to complete 20 hours of community service within the parish when they return to Bermuda.

The council wished all of the applicants well in their studies and thanked them for their interest in the educational bursary programme.

Ms Dill-Chapman added: “It is noteworthy to mention that the committee was extremely impressed with the calibre of applicants, making our decision very difficult to select just four students.

“Bermuda is in good stead for the next generation to be led by the brightest and best of today’s young people.

“The council would like to acknowledge all the applicants and encourages them to continue to persevere,” Ms Dill-Chapman added.

• For more information about the bursaries, contact Sandys Parish Council’s secretary, Karen Skiffington, on 294-1524 (daytime) or 234-0954 (evening). Alternatively, e-mail kskiffington@gmail.com