The Tribune

THE SIX College of the Bahamas students who have been announced as finalists in the 2015 Student of the Year Award by the Bahamas Financial Services Board will find out which of them has won the title on Friday night.

One of the six – Akini Morris, Dashanique Moss, Dava Bullard, Felicia Leann Albury, Robbyn Thompson and Robert Nicolas – will be announced as the winner at BFSB’s FSI Excellence Awards Gala Dinner at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Akini Morris was graduated from COB in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was graduated with distinction, and was the recipient of the School of Business, Ernst & Young, and Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants awards. In addition, he was a President’s Award finalist. Akini attended Nassau Christian Academy from 2006 to 2011, forgoing his senior year of high school after his early BGSCE passes, to initiate his tertiary education at COB. He has served as a mathematics peer tutor, and was an avid member of the college’s business club and the Institute of Internal Auditors; he filled the treasurer and Director of Education posts in those clubs, respectively. He is engaged in his studies for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, which he aims to have successfully completed by August 2016, subsequent to which, he hopes to secure employment at a leading accounting firm in The Bahamas or overseas. Beyond this, he hopes to study actuarial science, to pair his accountancy qualifications with an actuarial designation.

Dashanique Moss also was graduated this year from COB with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with Distinction and is currently employed as a Reconciliation Specialists at CFAL. While at COB, she has been on the Dean’s/President’s List and has played an active role in tutoring her fellow peers. She was also the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Award for Academic Excellence in May. Dashanique was graduated from Crooked Island High as Valedictorian and Head Girl in 2009, and was also the recipient of the Seahorse Shores Scholarship Award. During her time as a student of Crooked Island High, she has held several leadership positions, including President of the Girl’s Club and Sports House and has always been a well-rounded student. She is currently reviewing to sit the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA), after which she intends to pursue International Business at the Graduate level.

Dava Bullard was graduated with the 2015 Class of COB with a BBA in Accounting (Distinction) and a minor in Spanish. During her matriculation at COB, she was on the Dean’s/President’s List, served as Secretary of the Rotaract Club of COB and was the 2013-2014 Rotaractor of the year. She also served as Secretary of CHMI Toastmasters 969479, Student Vice President of Sigma Alpha Pi Honour Society COB and received the Society’s Excellence in Service to Students Award and National Engaged Leader Award. She became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a member of four other societies/clubs and an attendee of the BICA Yacht Club. In 2009, Dava was graduated from the St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School in St Lucia with distinction, receiving the Business, the Economic and the Outstanding Student awards. She was Public Relations Officer of SJC Young Leaders Club and Red Cross (Treasurer). She is employed with Ernst & Young Ltd as a Staff Accountant and currently is studying for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA). She intends to pursue graduate studies in International Relations and Economics, to improve her Spanish fluency (immersion programme) and to learn French.

Felicia Leann Albury attained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing (with Distinction) at COB. She was awarded the Bahamas Ferries Marketing Award for achieving the highest GPA in the Marketing programme. During her tenure at the College, she was an active member in The Rotaract Club and Golden Key, and also served as the 2013-2014 President of The National Society of Leadership and Success. She moved to Nassau in 2010 in pursuit of higher education after graduating from Long Bay School as Valedictorian in Abaco where she was born and raised. She is working to become a certified Events and Wedding Planner. By the age of 35, she envisions being the Founder and CEO of The Black Box Marketing Group while also planning destination weddings for couples wishing to solidify their union in paradise.

Robbyn Thompson was graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Economics, with distinction. She was also the recipient of the Dienkabe Kureyang Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in Economics. During her years in college, she performed integral roles within the School of Business, in particular, she served as the 2014-2015 Senator for the School of Business under the students union (COBUS) and represented the Economic Society at numerous presentations and forums. She was also one of the contributors to the National Development Plan (Phase 1), as recommended by one of her lecturers. In her sophomore year at COB, at 18, she developed a passion for hair extensions which led to the beginning of her unique line of Virgin Remy Extensions: Good Hair. Recently, she was nominated for the National Youth Award for Entrepreneurship. Robbyn is an alumna of St Augustine’s College (2011) where she honed her leadership and interpersonal skills, serving as Vice President of the Student Council body, President of the Speech and Debate Club and Captain of Leonard House. She is now pursuing her Masters degree in September 2016, at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Robert Nicolas was graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance. He was the recipient of the Livingstone Evans Memorial Award for Economics and Finance and the CFA Society of The Bahamas’ Top Student in Finance Award. He is passionate about the development of others and found the best way for him to serve his peers was to become a tutor. He acted in this capacity full time for one year in the College’s peer tutoring programme, then part time in his junior and senior years after he began professional employment. He earned a reputation for his ability to help students grasp the material, patience and willingness to accommodate the scheduling demands of students. He hopes to return to the classroom in the future as a lecturer. He is employed as an Assistant Trust Officer at Cititrust (Bahamas) Ltd. He intends to return to university in the spring to continue studies in French before beginning his studies for the Series 7.