Island Scholar and runners-up named

Liam Benjamin, former Antigua State College Student, was announced yesterday as the only Island Scholar for 2017.
The top student for this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination who is already pursuing studies in the United States will receive U.S. $20,000 per year, towards his studies.
When contacted and informed by OBSERVER media that he was named Island Scholar, an elated Benjamin said since pursuing studies at ASC he set his sights on becoming the Island Scholar.
Benjamin has dreams of becoming a data scientist.
He is already studying at St. John’s University in Manhattan, New York, on a full scholarship from that institution. Benjamin said that he will be using the full scholarship to pursue his ambitions.
“I’ll be taking computer science courses and hopefully the actuarial science would be the foundation for my future career as a data scientist which also involves statistics and mathematics and computer science,” Benjamin said.
Time management, volunteerism and having a good educational foundation and strong support system were some of the factors the Island Scholar said helped him to be a successful student.
He advised his peers with great aspirations to continue to reach for the stars and to never be afraid of seeking assistance when needed.
The 18-year-old university student was immensely thankful to his parents who supported him through the years and extended thanks to his peers and teachers who held him in high esteem.
“I would really like to thank them for the 18 years of support they have given to me while I was in Antigua. They truly supported me financially and emotionally and without them, this would not be possible. I hope that I will continue to make them proud and show them that all their hard work paid off,” he said.
He received six grade ones in Accounting, Computer Science, Pure Mathematics, Communica-tions Studies, Applied Mathematics and Integrated Mathematics.
Benjamin is the son of Colin and Allison Benjamin of Paynters.
The Island Scholar plans to return home this Christmas  to work at the Social Security.
Clare Browne, director of education announced that the 18 year old, who won the Governor General’s academic award earlier this year, as the sole scholar.
He also said the Cabinet has agreed to award four proxim scholarships. The awardees are Adia Beazer, Kelon Scott and Cozia James, who are former State College students, and Sergii Padalka from St. Anthony’s Secondary. They will each receive U.S. $10,000 per year.
There were five island scholars in 2016 because the Cabinet had decided that there were to be no fewer than five each year.
The Education Ministry official says the Cabinet reversed that decision a few months ago and going forward there will be only one island scholar.