The Vision
The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program is a premier National Awards Recognition program for 6th graders in The Bahamas. The program was the brainchild of Ricardo P. Deveaux - Distinguished Charter President of the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council and was designed to salute the achievements of our younger achievers.

Ricardo was impressed with the prestigious Florida College Student of the Year Awards Program sponsored by Florida Leader Magazine and Oxendine Publishing Company (http://www.floridaleader.com/soty/) and felt the need to establish a national awards program in his country. Ricardo was one of seven finalists in that Awards Program.

The History
In November 1996, the idea of a Student of the Year program was submitted to the Council for acceptance by then Council President Ricardo Deveaux. The competition immediately received its endorsements from four educators who were serving as Executive Council Members at the time: Sharon Poitier (Alpha Kappa Alpha), Anastacia Brown (Delta Sigma Theta), Carolynn Hall-Knowles (Delta Sigma Theta) and Garnell Rolle (Zeta Phi Beta). The program also received the endorsement of Senator Dame Dr. Ivy Dumont - Minister of Education (now Her Excellency Governor-General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.)

A committee was formed and Ms. Anastacia Brown was selected as the Committee Chairperson. The Council selected June 9th, 1997 as the date for the first Student of the Year awards program. Thirty-one (31) students representing private and public school students in New Providence were the first nominees in the awards ceremony. The ceremony was held at the Ballroom at Government House with Their Excellencies Sir Orville Turnquest - Governor-General and Lady Edith Turnquest in attendance. In his Remarks, His Excellency challenged the Council to include the Family Islands in future contest. Vashti Darling, a ten-year-old sixth grade student of St. John's College was selected as the 1997 Primary School Student of the Year.

In October 1998, The National Pan-Hellenic Council - Southern Region selected the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program as the Most Outstanding Original Program. This was the first international award won by the Nassau, Bahamas Council. The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program is the major educational thrust of the Nassau, Bahamas Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. Now in its twelfth year, The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year recognizes students who are academically gifted, civic and campus leaders and community volunteers. Atlantic Medical Insurance has served as the Major Sponsor of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year by donating a $1,500 scholarship to the Student of the Year.

The Foundation
Wednesday, August 4th , 2004 was a historic day for the officers and members of the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council. The Local Council officially launched The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year, Foundation , an autonomous non-profit educational arm of the Council. The idea of the Foundation was submitted and approved by the Council in May 2004 and incorporated under The Companies Act of 1992 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on June 2004. It was further agreed that the members of the 2004 Committee would comprise of the Founding Members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

The official launch was held in the form of a Luncheon at The Ballroom at Government House and it was hosted by Her Excellency The Governor-General.

Attorney Debi Williams-Hancock of Williams Law Chambers completed the entire legal framework for the Foundation (gratis). Williams Law Chambers became the official registered office of the Foundation.

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation was officially established with five hundred dollars ($500) from the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council and a six thousand dollar ($6,000) grant from the First Caribbean International Bank. The Bank awarded the Foundation with a grant in recognition of Ricardo Deveaux being selected as the First Caribbean International Bank – 2004 Bahamas Unsung Hero. He was recognized for his work with the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program.

The Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council, through the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation looks forward to continuing to sponsor this awards program as outstanding primary school students are recognized for their accomplishments.

Highlights from the 2007 Awards Ceremony
One hundred and three (103) outstanding primary school students representing New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Island, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua, Long Island and Mayaguana were Nominees in the 2007 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year. There were fifty-four (54) students from Grand Bahama and the Family Island and forty-nine (49) from New Providence.

The 2007 Awards Program was divided into two segments: the Medal Presentation and the Awards Ceremony:

On Friday, May 18th, His Excellency The Hon. Arthur D. Hanna - Governor-General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas presented each of the 2007 Nominees with Medals of Excellence. The Ceremony was held at Sandals Resorts, Cable Beach.

On Saturday, May 19th, over one thousand, four hundred parents, guardians, principals, family members and friends gathered at the Diplomat Center, Bahamas Faith Ministries International for the 2007 Student of the Year Awards Program. The highlight of the evening was the naming of the 2007 Student of the Year - Taran J. Carey, a 6th grade student at Tarpum Bay Primary School, Eleuthera. Antonette Loon, a 6th grade student at Hugh Campbell Primary, Grand Bahama was named First Runner Up. Thirty-seven (37) students received scholarship awards, increasing the amount of scholarships given in one program year. The 2007 scholarships and prizes totalled $80,000.00.

The Foundation was proud of the fact that 2007 marked the first time in the Awards Program history that efforts were made to track former nominees. One hundred and six former nominees were randomly selected. It was discovered that the students were still doing well academically and making a difference in the community.

Since the inception of the Awards Program in 1997, eight hundred and sixty nine (869) students have been recognized among the "Who's Who in Primary Schools in The Bahamas" and over $200,000.00 presented in scholarships and prizes.