The Association of Bermuda International Companies proudly announced the 22 recipients of the 2023 ABIC Education Awards.

ABIC is one of the largest scholarship providers offered in Bermuda. Now in its 46th year, ABIC is very pleased to offer scholarships to those wishing to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in an international business field. Supporting over 120 students, ABIC continues to help educate individuals that might not have had the opportunity to study abroad.

Kyra Adams

Kyra is a 2023 graduate of Saltus Grammar School where she achieved Honor roll throughout her high school journey. She was the of Head of Gold Key, where she showcased her leadership skills by guiding prospective families around Saltus and assisting them in the admissions process. Her exceptional dedication and diligent approach earned her the Ernst & Young Values Award and the Pwc Headstart Award for Excellence. Kyra received subject prizes in Economics, Psychology, and English Literature during her SGY at Saltus. Outside of her academic pursuits, Kyra’s passion for dance led her to become a dancer at Jackson’s School of Performing Arts where she generously volunteered her time to inspire aspiring dancers, actively participating in teaching and co-teaching during summer programs. Kyra will be attending the University of Vermont, where she will be enrolled in the Liberal Arts Scholars Program to pursue a degree in Economics. This choice of major presents an exciting opportunity for her to bring her knowledge and experiences back to Bermuda, laying the foundation for her future career.

Lexus Brites

Lexus, an honours graduate of The Berkeley Institute in 2021, is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree at Bermuda College. With plans to attend the University of Tampa, Lexus aims to major in International Business and Management. Throughout her time at The Berkeley Institute, Lexus consistently made the honour roll with Principal’s Honours, actively participated in prize-giving ceremonies, and demonstrated exemplary conduct. She received the Athene Scholarship, supporting her studies at Bermuda College for the past two years. Lexus is committed to her community, having contributed 213 hours of community service during her time at Berkeley. She is determined, resolute, and driven. Upon obtaining her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, Lexus intends to return to Bermuda and secure a position in insurance underwriting, fulfilling her aspiration to give back to her community.

Jessica Bucher

Jessica is a 2023 graduate of Saltus Grammar School who achieved remarkable accolades. She received subject awards in Accounting, Spanish, and Media Studies, along with the Jennie Beard Award for displaying consistent school spirit and the Hinson Cooper Bowl for being the most promising Art student. Throughout her time at Saltus, Jessica consistently placed on the Head Teacher’s Honor Roll and took on significant roles such as Communications Prefect, Yearbook Editor, and Gold Key Student Ambassador. Outside of school, Jessica discovered her passion for cinematography and performing. Her talents were recognized in the 2022 Bermuda Youth Film Festival, where she won awards for ‘Best Production’ and ‘Best Actor’. Additionally, she secured an ensemble role in Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Addams Family’ and portrayed Princess Rose in the 2022 Bermuda Pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’. These experiences taught her the value of collaboration and community engagement. Jessica will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Communications and Business Administration at Liberty University in the United States. Upon completion, she intends to return to Bermuda and embark on a creative career in communications and marketing within the international business sector.

Shayla Cann

Shayla Cann, an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma recipient from Warwick Academy, excelled in her academic and athletic pursuits. Serving as Deputy Head Girl, Shayla was recognized with the Warwick Academy Theory of Knowledge Academic Prize and honored as the 2023 Sports Woman of the Year. She proudly represented Bermuda in various international athletic competitions and held the position of Vice Captain for the Bermuda 2023 Carifta Games team. Throughout her high school journey, she consistently made both the Principal’s List for Sports and Academics. Shayla’s active involvement in the community is evident through her volunteer work at the Salvation Army, particularly her annual contribution to the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle. In the upcoming Fall of 2023, Shayla will enroll at Elon University to pursue a degree in Computer Science with a specialization in Cybersecurity, and will also be a member of the Track & Field team.

Sara Costa

Sara Costa graduated from Bermuda College in 2023 with an Associates of Arts in Business Administration, with distinction. She was a President’s List student and received the Division of Business and Hospitality Dean’s Award of Excellence. Sara also graduated with distinction and honors Summa Cum Laude from The Berkeley Institute in 2021, where she held the position of Senior Prefect and consistently achieved Honor Roll status. Sara gained valuable work experience as a voluntary intern at the Portuguese Consulate and developed valuable skills. Additionally, she expresses her creativity through nail technology and works part-time as a certified nail technician and receptionist at a local salon. In the fall, Sara will pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at the University of Liverpool, which will include a placement year in the industry to gain practical experience. She aspires to become a project manager upon graduation and plans to return to Bermuda to contribute to the local community.

Maya Dean

Maya Dean graduated from the Berkeley Institute in 2022 with advanced Honours, Summa Cum laude. She received the Virtual Enterprise International subject prize, Principal Honours in quarter 4, and a gold community service award for completing over 200 hours of service. Maya consistently made the Honour roll each quarter, served as the S4 Representative of the student council, and was a Dual Enrollment student at Bermuda College. Maya has excelled academically while currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Marketing at North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University. She earned the Chancellor’s list distinction in her first year, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while actively engaging in organizations and community service activities. Maya is driven, resilient, and committed to her academic and professional success, guided by her faith in God. Maya has gained valuable internship experience as a Marketing intern at Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewelry in 2022 and as a Finance intern at Hannover Re in 2023. After completing her degree, Maya plans to gain work experience at a firm in Bermuda or the U.S. before pursuing a master’s degree in the U.K.

Samiah Fisher

Samiah Fisher, an honors graduate from Cedarbridge Academy, has a strong passion for accounting and finance. She is set to pursue her studies at Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom. Samiah aspires to utilize her skills as a forensic accountant and to contribute back to the Bermuda community. Her early interest in mathematics and subsequent fascination with finance during high school have shaped her academic and career path. Samiah actively engages in various community and extracurricular activities. She was a member of the netball team, held the position of vice president of public relations for the Cedarbridge Academies Gavel Club, and served as a prefect, among other roles. These involvements have honed her leadership, time management, and organizational abilities, enabling her to thrive even under external pressures. During her leisure time, Samiah finds joy in reading and traveling. She appreciates the opportunity to not only enhance her personal growth but also immerse herself in different cultures.

Indio Francis

Indio is a driven and detail-oriented individual who is about to begin her Sophomore year at St. John’s University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Actuarial Science. In 2021, she graduated from Bermuda Institute, consistently achieving Principals Honors. Apart from her academic achievements, Indio has a diverse range of interests and extracurricular activities. She has actively participated in dance and track, while also expressing enthusiasm for golf, scuba diving, and art classes. Indio’s determination and hard work have led her to valuable internship experiences at Arch Re and EY. These internships have further nurtured her passion for her chosen field. As a testament to her academic excellence, Indio currently holds a place on the Dean’s List at the Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University. Her remarkable dedication to both her studies and extracurricular pursuits makes Indio a promising and accomplished young individual with a bright future ahead. 

Ava Gibson

Ava is a 2023 Bermuda High School for Girls IB Diploma graduate, and plans to complete her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University College London in the UK. She has a passion for public speaking, and was a student debate leader. She believes that debate is an important tool to give young women the confidence to advocate for themselves and their passions. Most recently, Ava won best finals speaker at the Bermuda National Tournament in November 2022, and will travel to Vietnam this summer to compete in the 2023 World Schools Debate tournament. An environmental activist, Ava was elected to the Youth Climate Advisory Board of the inaugural Youth Climate Summit in 2021. Through this experience, she has been able to engage with young people from around the island, and was part of a pilot project to introduce reusable lunch containers into Bermudian schools. Her enthusiasm for sustainability and conservation was solidified after spending a week at sea, sailing to Grand Turk aboard the Spirit of Bermuda for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Ava’s ultimate goal is to return to Bermuda to practice as a lawyer, contributing to a legal system that underpins societal equality.

Nicholas Kessell

Nicholas completed his first year of secondary education at Bermuda College in the Spring of 2023. Now, Nicholas is looking forward to attending The University of Guelph in fall 2023 where he will be majoring in economics and minoring in accounting. During his time at Bermuda College, Nicholas was an active participant in numerous re/insurance and international business related events. Nicholas joined the ILS Bermuda Educational Program where he attended the ILS Convergence Conference and multiple learning sessions hosted for students by re/insurance industry professionals. Nicholas went on to place first in the ILS Bermuda student essay competition for his paper on how insurance companies should address evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Nicholas also attended the Bermuda Risk Summit as a student delegate for the Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR), where he was able to further explore the opportunities available in Bermuda’s international business sector. Nicholas will return to Bermuda after completing his Bachelor’s Degree, and plans to earn his Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Zahra Lathan

Zahra is graduating from The Berkeley Institute in June 2023 in addition to completing her 14th year as a dancer with disciplines in ballet, pointe, and modern. Her graduation marks the beginning of her college career at George Mason University majoring in Cyber Security Engineering. Zahra has had a long-time passion for technology and when she realized Bermuda’s need for cybersecurity professionals, she delved deeper into the industry by joining the ISACA and shadowing a mentor in that field. This summer she plans to work at One Communications with a group of cybersecurity engineers. However, her interest is in protecting insurance companies from cyber-attacks due to the industry’s key role in Bermuda’s economy and her personal life. Zahra strongly values community, hence why she volunteers at Kreative Innovations, a company that plans community events. There she finds it rewarding to encourage collaboration amongst people of all different backgrounds across the island. With the completion of her degree, she plans to bring her newly founded knowledge and expertise to Bermuda’s cybersecurity climate and pave a pathway formore Bermudian women in tech.

Daniel MacPhee

Daniel is an IB graduate of Warwick Academy’s class of 2023 with the subject awards in Computer Science, Economics and Physics. In the Fall he will be attending the University of Toronto where he will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Actuarial Science and minoring in Computer Science and potentially Data Science. Outside of academics, Daniel spent many hours of community service at the new Warwick Academy marine science facility assisting with its early operations and maintenance. He also enjoyed finding new ways to stay fit and active, from football and tennis in school to squash and CrossFit with friends over the course of his high school education. Upon completion of his studies, Daniel intends to return to Bermuda to pursue a career in insurance for one of the many respected international firms located on the island and take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to him.

Sakai Newman

In 2021, Sakai successfully completed his International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at United World College Thailand, following his prior education at Somersfield Academy. Whilst at Somersfield Academy, Sakai was head student and a prefect. Sakai is currently in his second year of studies pursuing a Bachelor’s with an Integrated Master’s degree in computer science at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Throughout his academic tenure, Sakai has consistently achieved honor roll status. Sakai is a well-rounded student who actively engages in community service and participates in various clubs. He is involved in organizations such as Model United Nations and Newcastle University Computer and Technology Society. Sakai also dedicates his time to teaching beginner programming in Python. Apart from his academic pursuits, Sakai engages in sports by playing football and maintaining an active presence in the gym. Upon graduating university, Sakai intends to become a software engineer in Bermuda, where he plans to develop and maintain software for international businesses.

Shayla Robinson

Shayla is a 2023 graduate of the Berkeley Institute where she held the leadership positions of Deputy Head Girl, Prefect, Student Council Treasurer, and Manager of Events and Social Media of Virtual Enterprise International. Throughout her education, Shayla has achieved high honors and is recognized by her teachers and classmates for her leadership, personality, and determination to achieve her goals. Shayla has been involved in many school-wide activities; She Leads, Bermuda Insurance Institute, Track and Field and Senior Football Manager for The Berkeley Institute and, accounting courses. These activities and programs have amplified her decision of working in the insurance industry and have also helped shape her into the leader that she is today. In August she will be attending the University of North Carolina Greensboro where she will pursue a degree in Finance. Shayla looks forward to the many opportunities that a career in Finance has to offer and intends to return to Bermuda and take an active role in the (Re)insurance Industry

Zyhun Robinson

Zyhun Robinson is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics while also minoring in Actuarial Science at Georgia State University (GSU). Zyhun is expected to graduate from GSU in May 2024. Prior to attending GSU Zyhun attended West Virginia University where he became a brother of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Whilst pursing his degree, Zyhun has begun to get a head start to his career by starting his actuarial exams. After graduating, Zyhun plans to return to Bermuda and begin his career as a life insurance/reinsurance actuary, while also giving back and mentoring students who are also interested in this field to create their own path.

Marley Saggar

On May of 2019, Marley completed his Associate of Arts (Business Administration) Degree from Bermuda College. Marley is currently a junior at Seneca College where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Commerce with a focus in Marketing Management. During his first two semester’s he was able to maintain a perfect GPA of 4.0 and was named as a member of the President’s List. During his time at The Berkeley Institute, he held various leadership roles including Deputy Head Boy along with being a member of their prefect council. Marley has always had a strong interest in pursuing a career in Business and this was heightened even more during a Reinsurance conference that he attended during his time at The Bermuda College. Upon completion of his current degree Marley plans to continue his educational pursuits by gaining certifications for Data Analytics. His end goal is to become an analyst within the (Re)insurance industry.

Asia Scott-Taylor

Asia is a 2020 high school graduate from Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She achieved academic success, graduating in the top 15% of her class. She was involved in the National Technical Honors Society, National Honors Society, and Beta Club, which provided her with numerous community service opportunities. Asia’s dedication to learning extended to her clinical internship at Erlanger Baroness Hospital during her senior year. She then pursued Accounting at Chattanooga State Community College, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2022 with an Associates of Science degree. Currently enrolled at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Asia is expected to graduate in the Fall of 2024. Passionate about track and field, Asia was a member of the Flyers Track Club in her earlier years, developing discipline and time management skills. Asia aspires to obtain her CPA, work in Bermuda’s international business sector, and earn insurance designations like CPCU and ARe.

Meron Simons

Meron is a 2022 Advanced Placement merit graduate of Saltus Grammar School. Upon graduation, Meron embarked on a Gap year to her native country of Ethiopia. There she did volunteer work, studying at Unity University. This fall she plans to attend University in England to gain her bachelors in Marketing. During her school years, she dedicated herself to cross country since age 10. She became a National Cross-Country Championship winner for Bermuda three years in a row in the girls’ division. She was appointed Library Prefect at Saltus, Form leader at BHS and Purvis. She received a scholarship to represent the Future Leaders programme overseas. Meron is a Rangers alum, dedicating countless hours to the community in the form of beach cleanups and soup kitchens. She has been given the opportunity to attend Mosaic’s Marketing internship this summer. In the near future, Meron plans to obtain her real estate license and open a small business in Bermuda. Long term, she plans to launch her own Marketing Firm and open an initiative in Ethiopia aiding aspiring students.

Eusebio King-Mills

Eusebio attends Knox College in Illinois where he is majoring in Business and Management, with a focus in Finance/Accounting. Eusebio enjoys sports and has been active in the football community his whole life, representing teams both in and out of school. At Knox he was one of four finalists nominated for the Arvid Pierre Zetterburg Jr. prize for men in 2021, which is an award for the freshman who exemplifies the most interest in academics and sport. In the following year he was named to the Midwest Conference Academic All-conference. He also participated in the “I’ve Got Your Back Program” showcasing student athletes supporting each other to foster inclusive environments. Eusebio has a strong love for business. In 2022, he interned in the insurance department at KPMG. That same year, he was honored to be a recipient of the 2022 Validus Re and PHC Foundation scholarships. This summer, Eusebio is enjoying his job as an Operations Intern for Validus Re. Upon graduating from Knox, he plans to return to Bermuda and join the insurance/reinsurance sector, and is determined to become a CEO.

Darien Williams

Darien Williams is a 2021 graduate of Warwick Academy, where he completed the International Baccalaureate program. During his time at Warwick Academy, Darien served as a prefect, demonstrating his leadership skills, and was a member of both the full orchestra and the concert band. Additionally, he was a dedicated member of the basketball and volleyball teams, exhibiting his commitment to sports. Darien is going into his final year at the University of West England, pursuing a degree in Business Management with Marketing. Within the university, he holds the position of Vice President of the Table Tennis team. In this role, he not only organizes and leads weekly training sessions but also manages the logistical aspects of travel when the team competes against other universities in different cities. He has volunteered at the Red Cross for three consecutive years, where he worked on repairing equipment for resale and sanitizing equipment provided by the community. Currently, Darien is interning with Sompo in the Claims department, gaining practical experience in his field of interest. Darien aims to leverage his skills, knowledge, and experiences to actively contribute to the growth and development of both the economy and the community. Darien’s aspirations reflect his passion for making a meaningful difference in Bermuda’s future.

Owenea Roberts – Post Graduate

Owenea is a recent graduate of Quinnipiac University, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with a minor in finance. While attending Quinnipiac University, she earned a spot on the Dean’s List consistently and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi International Honor Society. Outside of academics Owenea can be described as a strong minded and overachieving individual who was heavily involved as an undergraduate student. She was an active member of the Student Government Association serving as the President which comes with history being made because she is the first international student, first black woman, and youngest person to ever serve in that position. She was also a Sawhney Leadership Fellow and a participant in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program where she prepared tax forms for low-income residents of the town of Hamden. Owenea plans to obtain her Certified Public Accountant designation and work in the reinsurance industry. Her overall career goal is to become a Chief Financial Officer. In the Fall, Owenea will be attending St. John’s University in Queens, New York where she will work towards her Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Data Analytics.

Riley Morbey – Bermuda College

Riley, a Saltus Grammar School graduate, will begin his first of two years at Bermuda College, majoring in Accounting, before pursuing his degree abroad. His passion for math and numbers flourished during an accounting elective at Saltus, motivating him to choose accounting as his career path. After completing his studies overseas, Riley intends to return to Bermuda and embark on a professional career with a local international firm. Alongside academics, Riley actively engages in athletics and extracurriculars, representing Bermuda in volleyball tournaments and earning certifications as a Rescue Diver and in CPR through WaterStart camp. Riley’s eagerness to learn and contribute to his community drives his personal growth aspirations.