Gabriella Castillo and Haley Willkom are the newest Caymanian scholars selected by the local national committee of the global United World Colleges (UWC) movement. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the two young women were nominated on the basis of their passion for the UWC mission and values, impressive academic records and references, and substantial involvement in community service and co-curricular activities.

After completing ‘O’ Level examinations locally this summer, they will enrol in the two-year pre-university programme – Gabriella in Santa Ana, Costa Rica and Haley in Duino, Italy – and study alongside students from all over the world for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Though the IB Diploma is one of the most widely-recognised and highly regarded secondary qualifications in the world, the full UWC college experience is very unique. UWC is the only global educational movement with the explicit aim of bringing together young people from many different backgrounds and using a values-based education as a force to unite them for peace and a sustainable future.

Commenting on this year’s scholars, UWC Cayman Islands Chairperson Aubrey Bodden (UWC-USA ’04) stated: “Gabriella and Haley will be excellent ambassadors of the Cayman Islands and make their own meaningful contributions to their colleges and distinctive impact on the world. I wish them all the best as they embark on this new adventure and know they will also take advantage of the many opportunities they will have over the next two years and beyond.”

At each UWC college academic achievements are put into perspective with a demanding mix of community engagement, international affairs, physical activities, service commitments and creative pursuits. Living on campus with a diverse group of peers also creates an environment where prejudices are questioned and tested on a daily basis, opening students to new ways of thinking, building tolerance, and helping to overcome hostility and conflict.

A UWC education is a transformative experience and the global impact can be seen in over 50,000 graduates from over 180 different countries since the first college was founded in Wales in 1962. One key objective is to equip students to continue the commitment they make to peace, international understanding and positive social change and to make a difference in whatever they choose to do in their lives. The UWC movement also stresses the importance of graduates contributing to their home countries – the countries where they were initially selected – to make a significant difference throughout the whole world.

In 1984, when there were only six colleges, UWC Cayman Islands was established to select Caymanian scholars, beginning with Linburgh Martin and Dana (Welds) Brandon. Since that time, the movement has grown further to encompass fifteen colleges and there are now dozens of Caymanian alumni.

The national committee has also expanded its activities to include local events promoting the UWC values of international and intercultural understanding; celebration of difference; personal responsibility and integrity; mutual responsibility and respect; compassion and service; respect for the environment; a sense of idealism; personal challenge; and action and personal example. In the summer of 2015, UWC Cayman Islands will also host its first short programme for teens interested in sustainability issues to reach more and younger students.

Ms. Bodden noted: “Our organisation is run entirely by volunteers and the Selection Committee in particular has put in many hours and extensive efforts to recruit applicants and select the most deserving candidates for places allocated to our national committee. It would of course be remiss of me to not also highlight our sponsors, who allow us to do this without considering financial means. A merit-based selection process is at the core of our values and donations and sponsorship of our events allow us to promote the UWC mission locally and provide scholarships to ensure our young people reach their full potential.”

In recognising those who make the charitable organisation’s work possible, Ms. Bodden added: “I would like to, in particular, thank our volunteers for their dedication, major donors Maples and Calder and the Aall Foundation for their consistent financial support, and Dart Enterprises and Cayman National Bank, who have just come on board as the first two sponsors of our upcoming local short programme.

“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.”

Photo: 2015 UWC Cayman Islands scholars Gabriella Castillo and Haley Willkom with Vice Chairperson Ridhiima Kapoor

Background:

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. From 2016 onward, however, this process will move forward and begin in August/September as part of a global shift to help strengthen the system as the number of national committees and colleges continues to grow.

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 fifteen UWC colleges, which are located across the globe.

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 individual 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 a direct application process if necessary, depending on application requirements set by the relevant national committee and whether the student’s country of citizenship has an established national committee.