The Tribune

IT’S been a whirlwind of constant activity for mini-
dynamo Lauryn Rolle since she captured the title of Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year, out of 123 nominees and 6,000 sixth grade students in the country.

The very mature and accomplished 11 year old from St Thomas More has made the rounds of radio talk shows and even met with the Prime Minister.

On Tuesday, Lauryn also carved time in her hectic schedule to pay a courtesy call on Paul McWeeney, managing director of Bank of the Bahamas, title sponsor for the Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year (PSSOTY) Awards.

Mr McWeeney welcomed the rising star, her mother Pia Rolle and PSSOTY reps Ricardo Deveaux and Noel Pratt into his corner office at Claughton House on Shirley and Charlotte Streets.

There he chatted with her about some of her hobbies including dance and community service, her business, Drama Queens Inc, which sells used toys and books, and her plans for further education.

Lauryn revealed that she wants to be a neurosurgeon and plans to attend seventh grade at St Augustine’s College followed by boarding school in Canada and medical school at the University of Toronto.

Mr McWeeney said he was impressed by Lauryn’s focus and determination and thought she was an inspiring example not just for children but also for adults.

“It is a wonderful experience meeting someone of that nature. She is a bright spark. It demonstrates the tremendous hope and potential of youth in our country and we’re proud to be a sponsor of the Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Awards programme,” Mr McWeeney said.

Lauryn said she also enjoyed the meeting and wasn’t nervous because she has had a lot of practice speaking and welcoming guests to her school.

“Mr McWeeney was nice, very welcoming. His office is nice. I told him it looked like a living room set. He asked a lot of questions but I don’t mind answering questions,” she said.

Following the meeting Lauryn assisted Bank of the Bahamas staff at Shirley Street Branch in the collection of staff donations for “Double Lunch Day”, a World Hunger Day initiative by Hands for Hunger.

She also opened a BOB Jr Savings Account containing $50 that was donated to her by the bank to encourage her in her savings habits.

Thanking the bank, she acknowledged that she likes to save but also likes to buy “new stuff” including outfits and toys for her younger siblings. “I’ve always wanted a bank account but I didn’t know they started that early,” Lauryn said.