Three Students Earn ABIC Memorial Awards
The Association of Bermuda International Companies announced that three recipients of the ABIC Education Awards — Larrissa Simmons, Jada Davis, and Amelia Othman — will also receive special memorial awards named after fondly remembered past ABIC scholarship awardees.
A spokesperson said, “The Shernelle Outerbridge Memorial Award for $15,000 went to Larrissa Simmons, who is entering her senior year at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama.
“Shernelle received a 1984 ABIC award, which helped her to earn her degree in Public Policy & Administration from York University in Toronto and went on to work at Zurich, where reached the role of President of Zurich Investment Services in just 12 years. In her memory, Zurich created this annual award for a student who reflects the attributes of Shernelle: dedication to academics, high motivation, life balance, a caring nature and authentic personality.
“The Zurich special committee that selected Larissa described her as “truly authentic and honest in her expression about who she is and where she wants to go in life”. Larrissa, the first in her family to attend university, is motivated to achieve her career goal to obtain a CPA designation. She believes in giving back to the community, has volunteered with numerous charities, including PALS, the Bermuda Red Cross and the Mirrors programme, and one day hopes to launch her own mentorship programme to help young Bermudians seeking an international business career.
Larrissa Simmons & Dominique Richardson, a Senior Underwriter, Professional Liability at Markel
“The Michelle Outerbridge Memorial Award for $5,000 went to Jada Davis, who will attend Rutgers University in September, to pursue a double major in Finance and Business Analytics & Information Technology.
“Michelle was a recipient of an ABIC scholarship in 2000. She was a high academic achiever whose enthusiasm and all-round vitality for life left a lasting impression on all who met her. Each year from 2003, ABIC member companies have sponsored this award in her memory.
“The interview committee recognised Jada’s strong commitment to the community and her encouragement of young people to set thoughtful goals. An active weekly volunteer with Eliza DoLittle Society for the past two years, Jada manages school, extracurricular activities and community service with enthusiasm and energy. At Bermuda High School, she was the Enterprise Leader Head, where she strove to guide fellow students by listening well and inspiring with thoughtfulness and calmness.
Jada Davis & Dominique Richardson
“The Stephen Edwards Memorial Award for $5,000 went to Amelia Othman, who will pursue her Bachelor of Business Administration at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, from September.
“Stephen was a recipient of an ABIC scholarship in 2014 but tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident a few months later at the age of 19. He was a gifted rugby player, and recognised as an outstanding athlete and role model, both in Bermuda and overseas. This annual award, funded by ABIC member companies since 2015, is granted to a young person who displays the same attributes for which Stephen was so admired.
“The selection committee concluded that Amelia “is well rounded, confident and self-assured, and pursues her academics with the same intensity as she does her sports”. Her outstanding sporting achievements have come in the high jump, in which she represented Bermuda, as well as the 100 metres, 4 x 100-metre relay and long jump. She also captained the BHS basketball and softball teams and has coached young girls in softball.”
Amelia Othman & Dominique Richardson
Patrick Tannock, Chairman of ABIC and CEO of AXA XL’s Bermuda Insurance Operations, said, “Congratulations to Larissa, Jada and Amelia for attaining the special awards. ABIC is proud to provide the largest post-secondary scholarship programme in Bermuda.
“Through the generous support of our member companies, we have funded the education of more than 700 Bermudian university students, paving the way for past, present and future generations of students to pursue their undergraduate or graduate educational goals in areas related to international business.
“We are living in a world where change is changing faster and an accelerated rate of innovation is impacting our lives in ways we never imagined. The challenge and the opportunity is to successfully navigate uncertainty, embrace agility and to learn and execute faster. At ABIC we endorse the pursuit of lifelong learning and constant updating of skill sets to ensure that Bermuda remains the domicile of choice and Bermudians in international business are fully prepared to compete on a global scale.”
