UWC scholarship recipients off to Italy and Canada

(CNS): A student from Cayman Prep and one from the Brac have been chosen as this year’s scholarship recipients by the UWC Cayman Islands National Committee. Tyleisha Galbraith (left), who is graduating from Cayman Prep and High School this summer, will be attending the United World College of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia. Simon Watson (right), who is graduating from the Layman Scott High School, will attend UWC Adriatic in Duino, Italy. Both students will undertake the rigorous two-year International Baccalaureate programme, a well-recognised and highly sought after pre-university qualification.

The pair was chosen after an extensive interview process featuring many outstanding candidates. Remarking on their selection, UWC Cayman Islands Vice-Chairperson Aubrey Bodden said of the process, “Each year we are so impressed with the achievements and passion of the students that apply to UWC through our National Committee. We are honoured to select Simon and Tyleisha as our 2013 scholars and know they will be exemplary representatives of the Cayman Islands. We believe that they will not only benefit from this experience but also contribute so much to their colleges and to the local and global community. A UWC education goes far beyond the two-year programme, as alumni remain committed to the UWC mission and values and become life-long agents of change.”

Commenting on his selection, Watson said, “I am thrilled to be selected by the CIUWC Committee for one of this year's scholarships and being given the opportunity to live and study in Italy, where I can learn a new language, perhaps even learn to ski, is more than I ever expected. I'd really like to thank the UWC sponsors for making this possible and I can assure them and the Committee that I will take advantage of every opportunity the school has to offer, learn as much as I can and have fun for the next two years. I can't wait to go.”

Speaking on her selection, Galbraith remarked, “I think that all candidates would have made an excellent contribution to the UWC community; therefore I am honoured to have been chosen as a scholar this year. Words cannot describe the emotions which I felt when I received the news, as I think this is a once in a life time opportunity.  I look forward to sharing my culture with my peers, but more importantly being part of this multicultural community which extends values that will hopefully be universal in the near future. I would like to thank my sponsors and the CIUWC selection committee for giving me such an amazing opportunity. I’d also like to thank my family and friends for their continued support. I will definitely take advantage of every opportunity that I am offered during my UWC experience.”

UWC, formerly United World Colleges, is an educational network in 146 countries with 13 schools and colleges located in the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Swaziland, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Norway, and The Netherlands. The schools and colleges deliver a challenging and transformative educational experience to inspire students to create a peaceful and sustainable future.

UWC depends on volunteer-run national committees in 146 countries. UWC Cayman Islands has been selecting students since 1984 and has over 60 local students and alumni and is committed to providing full scholarships to promising Caymanian students to attend one of the UWC campuses across the world.

UWC Cayman Islands relies upon fundraising as well as private and corporate donations to meet that goal. Bodden expressed her gratitude for the continued support for the foundation,”We are fortunate to have many corporate and individual sponsors, like Maples and Calder, Deutsche Bank, the AALL Foundation and Linburgh Martin (UWC Atlantic '86), whose generosity allows us to select scholars based entirely on merit and provide full scholarships to each Caymanian student.”

Companies and individuals interested in making a donation to UWC Cayman Islands are invited to email uwccaymanislands@gmail.com