The Tribune

THIRTY of the best and brightest graduating female students from throughout the Bahamas will convene in New Providence for the 35th annual Honours Day, sponsored by The Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Over the last 30 years, the chapter has awarded almost $100,000 in scholarships to the most outstanding female high school students in the Bahamas.

This year’s award will be given to the accredited institution of the honoree’s choice.

The chapter will be presenting additional monetary awards, including a cash award, to the student who writes the most outstanding essay during the examination portion of the weekend.

The students will have the opportunity to:

· Vie for the scholarship award and additional awards and incentives

· Participate in community service

· Represent their respective schools

· Meet past awardees

· Receive career and college mentorship

The vision of Thelma McMillian, who introduced the Honours Day programme in 1978, the tradition of service through scholarship continues to the present through the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Initially, the chapter invited the top three female graduating seniors from high schools in New Providence to participate in an essay competition, awarding a cash prize.

In 1984, a scholarship to attend Success Training College was added to the programme. In 1990, the concept expanded and Family Island students were invited to participate.

That year, the scholarship was renamed the Linda Higgs-Swan Memorial Scholarship Award in honour of a past president.

In recognition of the quality of tertiary education in the Bahamas, in 1992 the award was extened to include the College of the Bahamas. Today the scholarship is made payable to the university/college of the student’s choice.

Over the years, the programme has become more elaborate with students participating in a weekend of interactive, educational and social activities designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the best and the brightest female graduates from schools from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Family Islands.

The scholarship and activities are funded solely through donations and chapter fundraisers.

The chapter said it looks forward to continued support from the business community, sponsors and donors.