The Board of Directors of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation and the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council in conjunction with the Distinguished Panel of Judges are pleased to announce that a well-rounded, well-respected young man has been selected as the 2008 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year. The 2008 winner is James Franklin Boyce, an 11 year old student representing Hope Town Primary School, Abaco. He has maintained Honour Roll status from throughout his entire primary education. His grade point average is 3.89.

Mrs. Candace Key, Principal and Teacher of Hope Town Primary said that “James Boyce is a child that stands out from ALL the rest in many areas, namely: academics, leadership, service to God, his community, the environment and country, sports, music, role model for all ages, uncanny sense of confidence without bravado, strong family life and goals that he strives to reach”. She further noted that in her 30 years of teaching, she cannot remember ever having a student that was SO outstanding in ALL areas as James. James, the 2007/2008 Head Boy at his school, stands above his peers in his ability to show respect and genuine care for others. In addition to his academic ability, James has a seeming natural adeptness in sports. He has represented his school in softball, soccer and swimming. He helped to lead his school to victory in thePrimary School Swim Competition in 2007. James shows a keen interest in protecting and conserving the environment. Last year, Friends of the Environment started a local education program and James was one of the first students to become involved. He participated in building and placing the first artificial Reef Balls made by FRIENDS of the Environment. Those reef balls are now providing habitat for fish and corals at Mermaid Reef in Marsh Harbour.

He is also an active participant in the youth department at New Vision Ministries. In addition, he has been described by his Tennis Instructor Bobby Russell as not only of his best players, but is showing potential to be an outstanding player.

James vision for a better Bahamas is for a cleaner country. He wishes that there would be no more trash in the sea, on the beaches, in the parks or on the sides of the roads. He believes that if people got involved in caring for the environment, our country would be cleaner and there would be less crime and The Bahamas would be an even better place.

Our 2008 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year, who makes history by becoming the first student from Abaco to capture the national title, is the son of Frank and Charlotte Boyce.