1. What is the Bahamas Primary Student of the Year Awards Program?

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program is a premier National Awards Recognition program for 6th graders in The Bahamas. It was established in 1997 and has recognized over 600 primary school students since its inception.

2. Who sponsors the Bahamas Primary Student of the Year Awards Program?

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program is sponsored by the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, in partnership with the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council, the local coalition of Fraternities and Sororities.

3. What is the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation?

The Foundation was incorporated under The Companies Act of 1992 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in June 2004, as a fully registered non-profit foundation. The Foundation was given birth through the Nassau, Bahamas Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. It is dedicated exclusively to public, charitable, and educational purposes of the Awards Program.

4. How are students nominated for the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program?

Students must be nominated by their respective schools. A letter from the Schools’ Principal / Vice-Principal must accompany the official application form. The letter from the Principal / Vice-Principal serves as official endorsement of the nomination. Application packages missing this letter will not be accepted or reviewed.

5. Who is eligible to be nominated for the Awards Program?

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program recognizes outstanding 6th grade students in the Bahamian educational system regardless of colour, creed, nationality or religious affiliation. Each school can nominate ONE (1) student for the Awards Program.

6. What are the application requirements for the Student of the Year Awards Program?

Students must submit a Completed Application Form, A 400 Word Essay, Copies of official report cards (Covering 4th, - 6th grades only), Three headshot photographs ( These photos are for the newspapers, website and souvenir awards booklet.) Photos will not be returned, Newspaper Clippings / Copies of Awards & Certificates (Covering 4th - 6th grades only), Three (3) letters of recommendation - School Principal / Vice-Principal, Classroom Teacher / Civic or Community Leader / Former Teacher, Religious Leader / Extra-curricular Coach (ie. Sports or Dance) and the above items should be neatly attached to a portfolio or folder.

7. Are there any special requirements with regards to the portfolio / folder?

The portfolio / folder must be no larger than 9 x 12 and is limited to a maximum of 50 pages. (both sides). All packages submitted will become the property of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation and WILL NOT BE RETURNED. Parents are encouraged to make a personal copy.

8. What is the deadline for the annual Awards Program?

The deadline for submission of completed Application Packages for the 2007 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year will be: Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 5:00pm EST. The Foundation will not be responsible for application packages that are late, lost, illegible, damaged, or incorrectly addressed entries for any reason.

9. Who will be responsible for judging the application packages?

An Independent Distinguished Panel of Judges will review application packages received and determine the overall winner and finalists. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES ARE FINAL.

10. Will a commemorative souvenir journal be produced?

Yes, The Foundation will produce a commemorative souvenir journal to highlight the achievements of each honouree. You are encouraged to have family members and friends to send congratulatory messages to the honouree. The costs of the advertisements are: Quarter page - $50.00, Half page - $80.00 and Full page - $150.00. The deadline for submission of advertisements will be March 31st, 2006. Please note that the purchase of advertisements is not mandatory for participation in the Awards Program. Copies can be made of the advertisement letters.

11. Is there a website?

Yes, You can visit our website: www.bahamaspstoy.org. You will find information on The Awards History, Our Patrons, Our Board of Directors, Our Past Honourees and Our Corporate Sponsors.

12. When is the Student of the Year Awards Ceremony held?

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 17th, Friday, May 18th and Saturday, May 19th, 2007. These dates will be confirmed in early 2007. The Awards Program usually consists of three (3) events: A Medal Presentation for Family Island Students, A Medal Presentation for New Providence Students and The Awards Ceremony.

13. Will each child be recognized?

Yes, Each child receives a trophy, a certificate and a medal in recognition of his/her accomplishments. Please note that the Foundation consider each nominee who participates in the Awards Program, a winner. Therefore, parents and family members are encouraged to applaud the child’s nomination in the program.

14. Will scholarships be presented to any of the students?

In 2006, thirty-one (31) students received scholarships totalling $38,000, in addition to prizes in the amount of $14,000 thanks to Corporate Sponsors such as Basil Neymour Construction Company Ltd., Atlantic Medical Insurance, Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Caribbean Bottling Company Ltd., Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, Commonwealth Bank, Bahamas Telecommunication Company, J P Morgan Trust Bahamas Ltd, Williams Law Chambers, First Caribbean International Bank, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., Colina Imperial Financial, The Prescription Parlour, Bahamas Supermarkets Ltd., Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union, J. S. Johnson & Company Ltd., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank (Bahamas) Ltd, Bahamas Orthodontic Center, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Gemini Consulting Services.

15. Who is responsible for Family Island Nominees Travel?

The Foundation through corporate and individual sponsorship will purchase the airline tickets for Family Island Students to travel for the Awards Ceremony. Please note that the travel of the chaperone and/or family members will be the responsibilities of those individuals. In addition, living accommodations will also be the responsibility of the family. The Foundation will seek to obtain discounted hotel accommodations for all family members requesting assistance. If you will require hotel accommodations, you are requested to notify the Foundation via email at: info@bahamaspstoy.org or 242-434-6089.