Paying it Forward
Sharon Wilson & Co. Lends Support to Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation
Leading law firm Sharon Wilson & Co. expanded its commitment to excellence in education today, extending the support it has long awarded students at the tertiary level to those shining in primary school, with a donation to the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation (BPSTOY).
The presentation to BPSTOY took place at the offices of Sharon Wilson & Co., East Shirley Street.
Launched in 1997, the program recognizes outstanding sixth grade students in public and private schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands. Students with exceptional academic achievements and strong extra-curricular involvement are nominated by their respective schools and compete for bragging rights as overall student of the year winner in addition to scholarships and award prizes.
“The students who participate in the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation are a reminder that the future of our country is bright,” said Sharlyn Smith, Partner at Sharon Wilson & Co. “We are honoured to support the foundation that showcases students who have pursued excellence. The program hits close to home for us at Sharon Wilson & Co. as we have had three relatives of Sharon Wilson & Co. team members walk away with top awards in recent years and we are so very proud of their accomplishments.”
Within the last three years past finalist included 2015 Winner Samaiya Lundy, godchild of legal assistant Indira Gaitor, 2016 Second Runner Up Caden Smith, grandniece of legal assistant Andrea Knowles and 2017 First Runner Up and top New Providence student Shari Smith, daughter of firm’s partner Sharlyn Smith and granddaughter of the firm’s principal Sharon Lady Wilson.
Since its establishment, the foundation has raised $1.3 million used towards scholarships and awards for nearly 2,000 students.
On hand to accept the $3,000 cheque was Adrianna Knowles, Communications & Development Officer for the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.
“Our wish is that most students, if not all, walk away with prizes and scholarship awards and the only way to make that happen is through the generous donations of corporate agencies,” she said. “One way people give back is through scholarships and awards in honour of participants who passed through the program. Last year we raised $133,000 and the 80 finalists were able to walk away with a minimum of $1,000 upwards to $6,500.”
“What better way to honour our awardees and demonstrate our pledge to education than by paying it forward for other students to benefit from,” said Smith.
This donation is the latest in the firm’s history of educational commitment with previous support given to the University of The Bahamas’ student scholarship endowment which provides opportunity for first generation students to receive a college education. The firm has also been a platinum sponsor of the National Youth Choir for more than 10 years and sponsors the Landlord and Tenant Prize at the Eugene Dupuch Law School.