The Tribune

DONOVAN Butler, an 11-year old student of Xavier’s Lower School in New Providence is the 2014 Primary School Student of the Year.

Donovan surpassed 117 other outstanding students to win the title, a $5,000 scholarship courtesy of the Primary School Student of the Year Foundation and a laptop donated by Dr Johnathan Ford and Michelle Ford.

“I am elated with my performance which caused me to win and I am going on to SAC in September where, I hope to do well and win more awards,” the top scholar said.

Donovan’s name is synonymous with the National Spelling Bee having placed first runner-up in the 2013 and 2014 competitions. He has a 3.92 grade point average, and has been first in his class for six consecutive years and on the Principal’s list annually. He assists with coaching the Grasshoppers team in the tee-ball division in the Junior Baseball League of Nassau and has been a member of several JBLN National teams.

Other accomplishments in Donovan’s portfolio to date include being a member of the school’s Junior Achievement Team, the winning Junior Junkanoo team, Recorder Ensemble and choir.

He won his category in the Commonwealth Writers Poetry Competition in 2013. The future entrepreneur is the son of David and Lorrieann Butler.

Tasmin Nottage, of Lyford Cay School said she was pleased and extremely honoured in being the selected first runner-up in the competition. In addition to maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Tasmin has led drives to raise funds to assist the Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort; the Philippine Disaster Relief and Hands for Hunger.

Hope Town Primary’s Bessie Lowe was also overwhelmed at finishing in the top three. Bessie was the 2nd runner-up. The dynamic student plays soccer, swims, sails, does gymnastics and sings in her church’s praise band. Bessie placed second in the Commonwealth Writers Poetry Competition in 2013.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald, addressed the large, enthusiastic crowd assembled at Golden Gates Worldwide Outreach Ministries. Mr Fitzgerald stated that the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation Awards Ceremony allows us to witness the unveiling of the next cadre of shining stars who will illuminate our nation in the future.

He noted that the awards programme is more than just presenting prizes, scholarships and accolades to deserving students. It is more importantly about the hope and joy that lies in store for our nation through the 118 outstanding students.

The minister also thanked the foundation for the nearly $1m contributed which has presented in scholarships and prizes to the winners over the 18 years of the programme.

The minister told the finalists that they will have the good fortune of being among the first group of graduates who will have six years to prepare for the National Standardized High School Diploma which comes on stream in September 2014.

“The attributes that qualified you for this award, are the same that you will need to earn your diploma with distinction. You are already poise to succeed,” Minister Fitzgerald stated.

President and CEO of the Bahamas Primary School Foundation, Ricardo Deveaux noted that this year proved to a challenging year for the awards programme because they were met with many so many issues. Despite the obstacles, Mr. Deveaux stated that he was pleased that they were able pay for all of the nominees travel to New Providence and award over $91,000 in scholarships and $20,000 prizes.

The Sir Clement Maynard Memorial Plaque featuring Donovan’s name will be showcased at Xavier’s Lower School while the Keva Bethel Memorial Plaque with Tasmin’s name will be at the Lyford Cay School.