The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, in partnership with the Nassau, Bahamas Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. are once again excited to announce that a three month search was conducted to locate the BEST and BRIGHTEST primary school students in The Bahamas. At the conclusion of the search, 100 students have been nominated to represent their respective schools in the 12th annual Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program. These students will be representing Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Island, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, New Providence and San Salvador.

In November 2007, The Foundation presented each primary school in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands with an application package to nominate one student deserving of national recognition. One hundred primary schools accepted this golden opportunity to have their students recognized among the “Who’s Who in Primary Schools in The Bahamas”. Each year, a select group of students are nominated to accept one of the most prestigious national recognition for primary school students in this country. This Awards Program, which is the premier program for primary students, is an excellent opportunity to recognize those students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership ability, campus and community involvement and good citizenship.

To the Parents, Guardian and Family Members of our 2008 nominees, your sons and daughters are being recognized because of your support, nurturing and encouragement in their pursuit of academic and extra-curricular achievements. Your task is to continue to mold and prepare them for greatness. Thanks a million for allowing us to showcase them.

          This year’s competition was extremely keen with one of the highest among of individuals nominated by their schools for this coveted award. We are aware that there will only be one overall winner but each student who has been nominated is already a winner for he/she represents the thousands of primary school students throughout The Bahamas. 

We are grateful to His Excellency Dr. Davidson Hepburn and members of his Distinguished Panel of Judges who carefully reviewed all the packages received and had the awesome task of identify the overall winner, finalists and semi-finalists. After reviewing all of the packages submitted, I am convinced that our independent panel had a difficult task of selecting the best student from among the best students in our country. The Foundation and the Country is grateful for your invaluable service and commitment to youth development.

Finally, To the long list of corporate and individual sponsors, the officials at the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture – Without your support and generous contribution, this program would be just a dream. You have assisted in making this program successful. Thanks for supporting our country’s young scholars and future leaders. Your support has truly made a difference in the lives of our students.

As this program continue to motivate our young people to strive for excellence, I challenge our schools, our corporate and individual sponsors, our civic, religious, community, fraternal, governmental and business leaders to support the efforts of the Foundation. I will forever be reminded of a quote that I saw many years ago and it said “In one hundred years, it will not matter what type of car I drove, what type of house that I lived in or how much money that I had in the bank but the world would be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child”. Together, Let us change a generation.

Ricardo P. Deveaux
President & CEO