Motivated student latest ‘proud of them’ awardee

(CNS): Mariah Tibbetts (20) a student at Georgia State University studying for a degree in business administration has been recognised for academic excellence, in government’s special award programme designed to highlight the achievements of young people. With a GPA of 3.93, Tibbetts is also a member of three college societies – Golden Key Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Society and Tau Sigma National Society and she plans to be an accountant. Tibbetts set the scene of things to come at John Gray High School when she got 15 higher-level passes in her external exams, and earned an award for consistently excellent reports. 

The Bodden Towner also received the JGHS Ernst & Young 2011 Achievement Award for AcademicExcellence.

Aside from her studies Tibbetts served as a student counsellor, a peer educator, and school prefect. She also took part in the Mentoring Cayman programme. A member of Dance Unlimited for several years, a participant in Junior Achievement, Tibbetts also attended two overseas conferences: Next Generation Leaders and the World Affairs Seminar, served as a member of the Prom and Yearbook Committees, the Business Club and the Debate Team.  She also represented her school in Spelling Bee competitions, and has obtained First-Aid and CPR certifications.

Before heading to Georgia she completed an Associate’s Degree at the University College of the Cayman Islands and won a full scholarship from Deloitte to move on to the BA.
“Proud of Them is a wonderful idea,” she said. “Many young people are trying hard, but think that their efforts are unrecognised – yet theirs could be the next faces on the Proud of Them billboards.[Its] An uplifting and inspiring achievement, and has motivated me to do even better, and to be a role model to others.”

The youth minister, Osbourne Bodden said Tibbetts’ tenacity and drive are commendable: “While the qualities for which Mariah are being recognised are laudable, her ability to motivate and inspire other young people is ‘positive peer-pressure’ at its finest. I look forward to seeing Mariah achieve great things in the near future,” he added.