The Tribune

MORE than $200,000 in scholarships was awarded to the top female graduating seniors from across the Bahamas, when the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held its 38th Annual Honours Day Programme under the theme “Launching New Dimensions of Innovation”.

Honour’s Day is the signature programme of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

The official award ceremony was held at Government House on Sunday, March 20. This followed a three-day weekend of activities including: a college tour, welcome reception, career workshops, community service, a mathematics exam, an essay competition and an information communications technologies e-poster competition. Students who received the highest scores in the tests went on to receive top prizes.

In her address at Sunday’s ceremony, guest speaker Alanna Rodgers, founder of Hands for Hunger and Tru Bahamian Food Tours, gave the students practical advice on exploring a non-traditional career. Additionally, she reminded the girls “to tap into their potentials, dream big and don’t let the fear of failing stop you.” She encouraged them to “use that same fear to propel them.”

Eta Psi Omega Chapter was the second chapter founded outside of America by four women in 1963 when forming chapters of that size had never been done before. Similarly, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority broke barriers when it was formed in 1908 as the first sorority for women of colour.

“Be proud of your accomplishments and continue to shine on your path of Excellence” was the message that Eta Psi Omega President Contanza Adderley-Bourne wanted all of the young students to understand.

“Wherever your path takes you, you have made some life-long friendships; cherish those bonds,” she said.