$12,000 up for grabs for education programmes

(CNS): Local business conglomerate dms Organization Ltd. (DMS) has opened this year’s application process for the annual Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award (JCA). In its fifth year, the JCA gives up to CI$12,000 annually to worthy education initiatives. Schools, youth groups, churches and other non-governmental organisations undertaking specialist education programmes in or out of school have until 1 April to make an application. Previous applicants are also encouraged to apply again if the programmes are still running. The award was created to publicly acknowledge the efforts of all those contributing to education in the Cayman Islands.

DMSVice President and JCA Committee Member, Krista Pell, said the local community was becoming increasingly familiar with the requirements. “We are proud to officially announce our call for applicants and we very much look forward to seeing what the community puts forth – we continue to be impressed both with the applicants who we receive each year, as well as following up on the success of the initiatives that have been award grantees in the past,” she said. “Investing in our nation’s youth has always been of fundamental importance to our business practice.

Bell confirmed that applicants who may not have been chosen last year can apply again for consideration, as well as those from new initiatives. She explained that even if an initiative doesn’t win, the award offers exposure for the programmes and raises awareness in the wider community.

Joanna Clarke, for whom the award is named, explained that recipients have gone on to achieve educational excellence. Two of the students from last year’s winning initiative, the Cayman Prep and High School’s marine science programme, went on to receive ‘Top of the World’ exceptional performance awards from the University of Cambridge International Examinations for gaining the highest marks in the world in Marine Science at AS‐Level in June 2010.

“There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that this award contributed to the programme – it’s our way of showing support for all their hard work, and they took this opportunity and capitalised on it to outperform all their peers. We are so incredibly proud of them,” Clarke stated.

Applications are currently being circulated throughout Cayman Islands’ schools and are available at the award website www.joannaclarkeaward.ky. All reputable organizations with a not-for-profit educational pursuit are eligible for consideration including, but not limited to, charitable organizations, teachers, students, parent teacher associations (PTAs) and schools.

The JCA criteria are: contribute to and promote excellence in education in the Cayman Islands; be sustainable and measurable; contribute to increased parental and/or community involvement in education; be affiliated with a reputable educational institution or organization; demonstrate a proven history in successful education projects and/or teaching;c ontingency for leadership.

The JCA Committee will carefully review all applications submitted, and if several worthy projects are identified, they may provide grants to multiple organizations up to CI$12,000 in total.

Recognizing the importance of private sector support for education, DMS introduced the award to honour local educator Joanna Clarke in 2007, seeking to bring awareness to the contributions of local educators and encourage others to also demonstrate their support. For further information and to obtain an application contact Tara Tvedt-Pearson, DMS Project Coordinator, at 749-2407 or ttvedt@dms.com.ky.