HAB Awards $30,000 To Four Candy Stripers
The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda awarded a total of $30,000 in education scholarships to four Candy Stripers, with Jorai Laurenceo, Nahla Woods, Varshini Srinivasan and Syesha Sampson each receiving $7,500.
A spokesperson said, “Four local candy stripers received financial awards totalling $30,000 when the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda [HAB] presented cheques to:
- Jorai Laurenceo
- Nahla Woods
- Varshini Srinivasan
- Syesha Sampson
“This year, we are proud to present 4 awards totalling $30,000,” said HAB President Glen Gibbons. “Eligibility for the awards is based on each student’s hours of service to the HAB, interaction with other volunteers and Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] and HAB staff members, community service and academic performance.
“Our decision was difficult again this year as there are so many deserving applicants, however, rather than dilute the amount to be awarded by presenting too many we decided to award each $7,500.00 to make a meaningful contribution towards books, travel or wherever the families feel it is most needed for their continuing educational journey.”
Jorai Laurenceo
The spokesperson said, “We acknowledge your dedication as a Candy Striper and your 161 volunteer hours. We trust the experience you gained through Candy Striping will support your studies in Business and Technology Management at Ontario Tech University. Bachelor of Information Technology, Networking and IT Security.”
Jorai Laurenceo said, “After completing 161 volunteering hours, I am honoured to receive the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda Candy Striper Education Award.
“Working in a high-volume clinical setting taught me that reliable systems depend on disciplined execution, not occasional effort.
“Supporting fast-paced healthcare flows proved that whether assisting hospital operations or designing AI Governance frameworks, system stability requires embedding compliance from day one.
“Sincere thanks to Joy Tyrell, Jane Wright, the HAB Scholarship Committee and the entire Hospital Auxiliary of Bermuda team at the Bermuda Hospitals Board for supporting my academic journey at Ontario Tech University.”
Nahla Woods
The spokesperson said, “We acknowledge your dedication as a Candy Striper and your 161 volunteer hours. We trust the experience you gained through Candy Striping will support your studies in Business Administration at Hampton University.”
Nahla Woods said, “I have been a Candy Striper for the past five years. This experience was both rewarding and impactful. It has helped me build valuable skills, such as adapting to new environments. I would like to thank the Hospital Auxiliary of Bermuda for considering me as a recipient of their scholarship. Lastly, I would encourage anyone who is passionate about serving their community to join this program.”
Varshini Srinivasan
The spokesperson said, “We acknowledge your dedication as a Candy Striper and your 151 volunteer hours. We trust the experience you gained through Candy Striping will support your studies at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery.”
Varshini Srinivasan said, “Being a Candy Striper with the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and an experience I will always hold close to my heart. Over the past four years, I have come to appreciate that meaningful care is often found not only in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments, a reassuring smile, helping a visitor find their way, or simply taking the time to listen. These experiences have taught me that compassion, empathy, and kindness can leave a lasting impact, even in the smallest interactions. The programme has shaped me both personally and professionally, reinforcing my passion for medicine and reminding me that healthcare is, above all, about people. As I begin the next chapter of my journey in medical school, I will carry forward the lessons, values, and perspective I have gained through the Candy Striping Programme. I am deeply grateful to the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda for the opportunities, mentorship, and trust they have given me over the past four years. This experience has left an enduring mark on who I am, and I know its influence will remain with me throughout my life and future career.”
Syesha Sampson
The spokesperson said, “We acknowledge your dedication as a Candy Striper and your 143 volunteer hours. We trust the experience you gained through Candy Striping will support your studies in psychology at Framingham State University Psychology.”
Syesha Sampson said, “Volunteering as a Candy Striper with the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda has been a transformative experience that solidified my passion for clinical psychology. This opportunity allowed me to interact with a wide demographic, ranging from anxious paediatric patients to geriatric individuals facing cognitive decline. Being a Candy Striper helped me to develop active listening and empathetic communication skills and helped me to understand the importance of confidentiality. I also developed exceptional time management and a strong work ethic. Most importantly my experience as a candy striper taught me to work from the heart without seeking recognition. It instilled a lifelong commitment to community service that I will carry into all my future academic and professional endeavours.”
Eligibility
The spokesperson said, “The HAB awards scholarships on an annual basis. Scholarships can be awarded to any candy striper current in the programme who has completed a minimum of two years. The awards may be used for continued studies in Bermuda or at an institution of higher learning abroad. Awards must be applied to the cost of education only, e.g. tuition, books and school fees.
“Interested in becoming a candy striper? There are currently 109 candy stripers enrolled in the HAB program. The HAB intakes approximately 40 students annually. Interested young men and women must apply in writing before their 14th birthday. Email applications can be obtained from sonja.paulos@bhb.bm.”
