PHC Foundation Award $40,000 In Scholarships
The PHC Foundation recently handed over $40,000 in scholarship funds to college-aged students at the 8th Annual PHC Foundation Awards Ceremony hosted by XL-Catlin, the programme’s premier Sponsor.
The event was attended by the recipients, their families, Pembroke Hamilton Club officials, the executive of the PHC Foundation and sponsor representatives.
PHC Foundation President, Rajaee Shakir said, “Our commitment to expanding educational access to members of the PHC Community continues to grow and with today’s $40,000 disbursement, we can now celebrate a total of over $250,000 in educational scholarships benefitting our community since the Foundations inception in 2006. The generosity of our sponsors and the hard work of each of the PHC Foundation team members demonstrates the power of a strong, committed community.”
Guest speaker, Marquel Waldron, who was a recipient of one of the Foundation’s early scholarships addressed the scholars and guests with an inspiring message that began with the question, “Am I good enough?”
He recounted challenges he faced during his educational journey and told how that nagging question could have eroded his confidence to become an obstacle in his path to success, he advised the audience that in order to succeed, “Your desire for success must be greater than your fear of failure.”
Patrick Tannock, President of XL Catlin’s Bermuda Insurance Operations and philanthropic unit, XL Foundation Ltd, said: “XL Catlin is pleased to support the ongoing efforts of the PHC Foundation as it endeavours to play a critical role in the development of those participating in the PHC’s programs.
“The youngsters benefitting from the programs, including scholarship recipients, represent Bermuda’s future. It is therefore imperative that we make a commitment to invest in our young people today in order to allow them to realize their full potential and to secure a successful Bermuda for all of us tomorrow. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients.”
Jonathon Ball, President of sister organisation, Pembroke Hamilton Club commended the Foundation, “At Pembroke Hamilton Club we strive to develop the complete athlete and we commend the Foundation for its tireless work promoting educational opportunities that help provide balance on and off the field.”
This year’s recipients included:
- Mikal Simmons [Thomas College]
- Shaquille Trott [Thomas College]
- Wendell Tre Ming [Thomas College]
- Jaeda Smith [Johnson & Wales University]
- Jenico Sealey [Harefield Academy]
- Isaiah Taylor [Richmond University]
- De-Aun Lodge [Aston University]
- Marco Warren [Flagler College]
- Arrieck Douglas [Jackson State University]
The criteria used in granting the scholarship awards included need, educational achievement, personal circumstances and interview responses
The PHC Foundation partners with the Pembroke Hamilton Club on several other meaningful projects each year, which has included support with events such as resume workshops, coaching certifications, CPR training, SCARS training, the Good Friday Community Day, and the Going Home Campaign amongst others
The PHC Foundation is sponsored by a diverse group of companies, foundations and individual benefactors that includes – Ace Foundation, Ms. Akila Simmons, Arch Insurance Bermuda, Argus Group,, Atlantic Security, Bermuda Community Foundation, Mr. DeUntay Darrell, Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd, FIL Limited, The Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Lingard Limited, Montpelier Re, Orbis Investment Management Limited, Ms. Sheba Bailey, Ms. Selena Burgess, SIGCo Limited, XL Catlin and Zurich International [Bermuda] Limited.
The PHC Foundation is a registered charity [727] in good standing. Formed in 2006, the Foundation’s primary mission is to support education through funding of scholarships and development of community education initiatives that benefit the larger PHC Community.
The Foundation headed by President, Rajaee Shakir, exists as a distinct entity from its sister organisation Pembroke Hamilton Club. The President’s committee members include Tawana Fox, O’Shandah Ming, Mark Simons, Kevin Warner and Raymon Glasford.
Always nice to see a club giving back to the community. Keep up the good work guys and all the best to the recipients.
Brilliant! Well done to the young persons, and kudos to Rajaee and the PHC Foundation team and XL Capital.
We always hear how black people can’t get together and do something positive to help the community. But that was never true; it was not true in the past; it is not true now; but we have always allowed others and even ourselves to judge from the stand point of the worst of us and not from the perspective of the best. This is an example of the best and as such should be applauded.
Pembroke Hamilton Club has Black as well as White members, and the Foundation makes no distinction between them.
In addition, we always hear how you separate black people from everyone the rest and make a case about how they are somehow different. This is very sad. We are in fact all the same. You should be trying to unite the races, not separate them.
This is fantastic news. Congratulations to ALL recipients of the awards!!Great work!! At the completion of your studies, DO return to BERMUDA!!!