Having been selected by the local national committee as its 2014 scholars, Sean Whewell and Giovanna Stafford are the latest Caymanians to join the United World Colleges (UWC) movement and will receive academic scholarships for the two-year pre-university programme.

Beginning in August, Sean will attend UWC-USA in Montezuma, New Mexico and Giovanna will head to UWC Adriatic in Duino, Italy. After completing their ‘O’ Level qualifications this summer, they will study for the highly respected International Baccalaureate Diploma at UWC alongside students from around the world.

In addition to their exceptional scholastic records, this year’s scholars are actively involved in various community service and co-curricular activities. Among their accomplishments, Giovanna has volunteered at the Humane Society and National Gallery and is a talented musician, while Sean has participated in Junior Achievement and Key Club and is an avid footballer.

Commenting on this year’s selection process, UWC Cayman Islands Chairperson Aubrey Bodden (UWC-USA ’04) stated: “As with most years, we had a very strong set of applicants and the selection committee was very impressed with all of the shortlisted candidates. Sean and Giovanna will do an excellent job representing the Cayman Islands at UWC and I wish them all the best as they embark on this new, challenging and life-changing experience!”

Looking beyond 2014, Ms. Bodden also noted: “As awareness of the UWC movement continues to grow locally and additional colleges open in Germany, Armenia and China over the next two years, a larger number of places will be available globally and we expect that there will also be additional qualified Caymanian students to fill them. We therefore look forward to selecting more candidates for this unique educational opportunity in the years to come.

“However, it is only through the continued support and commitment of our volunteers and sponsors that we are able to continue the completely need-blind, merit-based selection process that is at the core of our values. Inability to pay should never deprive a deserving candidate of the opportunity to attend UWC.”

This year UWC Cayman Islands proudly celebrates 30 years as part of the unique global educational movement that was founded in 1962 in the pursuit of peace and justice. UWC seeks to bring together young people from different races, religions and cultures to learn from one another. At each college academic achievements are put into perspective with a demanding mix of community engagement, international affairs, physical activities, service commitments and creative pursuits.

Over the past three decades, approximately 70 Caymanians have attended UWC, spending two years living and learning with students from all over the world at colleges in Canada, India, Swaziland, Hong Kong, Wales, the USA, Italy and Costa Rica. UWC colleges are also currently located in Singapore, the Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Norway.

Thanks to a large and dedicated network of volunteers, generous corporate and individual donors, and community support for fundraising activities, most Caymanians have also received scholarships to cover tuition and accommodation expenses and travel as necessary.

In recognising those who make the charitable organisation’s work possible, Ms. Bodden added: “I would like to, in particular, thank this year’s major donors for their support – Maples and Calder, Deutsche Bank, the Aall Foundation, alumnus Linburgh Martin (Atlantic College ’86), Greenlight Re, the Cayman Islands Compliance Association and Cayman National – and our volunteer-run Board of Directors and selection committee for their dedication.

“I also invite other companies and individuals to contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about UWC and how to become a part of this exciting and life-changing movement by applying, donating or volunteering your time and skills. Every contribution – no matter how small you may think it is – helps further the UWC mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.”

Background on the selection process:

The recruitment process for UWC scholars usually begins in earnest in January, when UWC Cayman Islands representatives visit secondary schools across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac to give presentations about the UWC movement and the local application process.

To be eligible to apply through UWC Cayman Islands, students must be Caymanian and aged 16 or 17 years on 1st September of the year of entry. While there are no set minimum academic criteria, the International Baccalaureate is an academically rigorous programme and candidates are expected to have attained – or be on track to attain – at least 7 ‘O’ level higher passes or the equivalent.

The Selection Committee, which is made up of mostly UWC alumni, reviews each written application and particular consideration is given to academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, community service and passion for the UWC mission and values. Up to 12 applicants are selected for an individual interview.

Following individual interviews, the top 5 or 6 applicants move on to a group stage, where participants discuss important local and international issues and interact with each other through team building exercises and group projects.

After this final stage the scholar or scholars for that year is/are chosen to represent the Cayman Islands at one of the UWC colleges. As of August 2014 there will be 14 colleges in the UWC movement. A 15th college is scheduled to open in Changshu, China in 2015.

The UWC movement depends on a network of “national committees” and selection contacts around the world to carry out selection within each nation entirely on the basis of merit. There are approximately 150 national committees and selection contacts in nations that do not have a full national committee.

UWC Cayman Islands only considers Caymanian students for selection and refers non-Caymanian students to apply through their own national committee or through an “international quota” process as necessary, depending on application requirements set by the relevant national committee.

For more information please see www.uwc.org or contact us at [email protected]

Photo: Sean Whewell and Giovanna Stafford are the 2014 UWC Cayman Islands scholars