Minors & Cannonier Earn Polaris Education Award
Polaris Holding announced the recipients of the 2024 Polaris Holding Company Ltd Education Award [PHCLEA], with Zyon Minors and Ayr Cannonier being recognized for their academic consistency and commitment to higher education.
A spokesperson said, “Zyon Minors, the daughter of Otis Minors, a dedicated twenty-one-year veteran at Stevedoring Services Limited, is in her third year at the University of North Carolina Greensboro [UNCG] pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She is affiliated with the ACE Campus Organization and is a member of the Association of Nursing Students. She previously received the PHCLEA in 2022 and 2023 and has successfully renewed the award for a third year for the upcoming 2024 academic period.
Zyon Minors, Nursing Student & Polaris Education Award Recipient [2022, 2023, 2024] receives the award from Polaris chairwoman, Cheryl Hayward-Chew, as her father, Otis Minors, looks on with pride.
“Ayr Cannonier, the son of Ankoma Cannonier, a Deckman at Stevedoring Services Limited, is attending the United World College [UWC] in Tanzania, East Africa. He is a first-time recipient of the Education Award. He is in his second year pursuing the International Baccalaureate in Economics and Business.
“UWC offers a challenging educational experience to a deliberately diverse group of students and places a high value on experiential learning, community service, and outdoor activities, which complement high academic standards delivered through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The Tanzania college campus, opened in 2019, is the eighteenth country to provide tertiary education undergirded by the UWC ethos.
“The PHCLEA is presented annually to eligible children of Polaris employees, including those at Polaris, Stevedoring Services Limited, and East End Asphalt Company Limited. The $2,500 cash award provides financial support for tuition, room and board, or airfare as needed to support higher education goals. Recipients of the award may receive a maximum of four awards during their educational journey.
“Polaris Chairwoman, Cheryl Hayward Chew, presented Zyon and Ayr each with $2,500 awards towards their studies.”
Ankoma Cannonier, Stevedore employee, joins Polaris chairwoman, Cheryl Hayward-Chew as she presents his son, Ayr Cannonier, International Baccalaureate Student with a Polaris Education Award Recipient [2024].
Hayward-Chew emphasized the company’s commitment to its employees, stating, “The men and women of Polaris are the backbone of our organisation, and we remain steadfast in supporting what matters most to them – their families. Even in the face of global challenges of recent years, our scholarship programme continues to be a priority. As we quietly power Bermuda, we recognize that investing in the education and care of our team’s young people is crucial for the future success of the island and our business. I am thrilled to recognise two outstanding scholars this year.”
Zyon Minors, expressed her gratitude for the award, saying, “Thank you to Polaris for this scholarship. I am so grateful to have been selected. This money will be of great use during my upcoming school year as I will be entering my third year at UNCG, majoring in nursing. I look forward to my future career in nursing and because of Polaris I won’t have to stress about funds for courses, which will ease my transition into the new school year.”
Otis Minors expressed his gratitude for the award. He stated, “I would like to thank Polaris for supporting my daughter in her studies. I’m blessed to work for such a great company in Polaris. I appreciate what they are doing for its employees and their children that are overseas in school.”
Ayr Cannonier said, “I am grateful and pleased to receive the Polaris Holding Company Education award, and I am keen on honouring the award by striving for excellence in my schooling and hopefully returning to Bermuda to make a positive impact on my community”. The sentiment was echoed by his father, Ankoma Cannonier, who said, “I would like to also say thank you to the Polaris Holding Company for providing my son with this award which will help and assist in his continued education.”
Well done Zyon Minors and Ayr Cannonier and thank you Polaris Holdings for this.
There is a history behind this new wave of giving. It wasn’t always like this. Thanks Polaris for being a part of the change.