Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (8 August 2017) The Ministry and Department of Tourism recently hosted the annual Tourism Scholar Networking Reception, bringing together past, current and new recipients of tourism scholarships. Hosted at Luca restaurant, students and graduates interacted with a variety of tourism partners including the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, Cayman Turtle Centre, and accommodations sector representatives.

The Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism; along with Ms. Barbara Conolly, MLA, Councillor, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands; and Director of Tourism Mrs. Rosa Harris, shared words of advice and inspiration to those in attendance, and excitement for the diversity of programmes students participated in. This year’s graduate speaker, Ophelia Manderson shared tips with the outbound students, encouraging them to embrace every opportunity their studies abroad allows and balance between school work and personal growth opportunities.

This annual event is designed to bring scholars together to acknowledge recent graduates, offer support to students just beginning their tertiary education and provide networking opportunities with tourism professionals.

The Ministry of Tourism scholarship programme started in 1996 and has awarded over 200 scholarships since its inception.

2017 Ministry of Tourism Scholarship recipients:
Carlyle Bulgin – Aviation Management, Florida Institute of Technology
Hailey Myles – Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University
Jonassi Swaby – Aviation Maintenance, National Aviation Academy
Karlie Lovinggood –  Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University
Shennique Seales – Marketing, Boston University
Stephanie Phillips – Aviation Management, Le Tourneau University

2017 Graduates:
1.Diego Smith- Culinary Art, George Brown University
2.Juwan Christie – Aviation instrument and Commercial license, Tailwheels Flight School
3.Lori-Ann Whittaker – Tourism and Management, University of the West Indies
4.Ophelia Manderson – Hospitality and Tourism Management, London Metropolitan University
5.Ronald Mclean – Commercial Pilot, CTI professional training
6.Shari Webb – Tourism Management, Manchester Metropolitan University
7.Shawn Larsen – Commercial Pilot, CAMS flight School
8.Zackary Scott – Sports Management, FAB Academy
9.Marcia Robinson – Walters – Public Health, University of Liverpool

IMAGES:
Caption: 2017 MOT scholarship recipient Stephanie Phillips is congratulated by the Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism.
Caption: Ministry of Tourism graduate speaker Ophelia Manderson, accepting a gift bag from Councillor Ms. Barbara Conolly, Ministry of Education.