Kristofer Frick - 2007 Scholar

Where were you educated?

After two years of preschool at The Nursery School, I attended Warwick Academy where I sat my GCSE’s in my 11th year and graduated at 15 years old. Then after a year of Advanced Placement graduate studies at Saltus Grammar, I attended a further year at Bournemouth Grammar School in England where I completed 2 additional A-Levels in ICT and Sports Science.

What University do you attend?

I am currently at Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, having entered at 17 years old. I am undertaking a double major and a minor, with majors in Computer Management Information Systems and Sports Management, and the minor in Mathematics. I completed my freshman year on the Dean’s List with a 3.94 GPA, and was nominated for the Outstanding First-Year Student award.

What work experience have you had over the summers?

Many of my summers have been occupied with participation and coaching in sports camps and tournaments (football and tennis) in Bermuda, the UK, USA and Caribbean. This also included several years of assisting in the management of the Western Rovers Soccer and youth organization, involving coordinating frequent charitable events.

I have worked in merchandising (in retail clothing) with the English Sports Shop chain of outlets, and also with Lindo’s Family Foods.

Hobbies?

I enjoy most physical activities, having played sports my entire life. I’m always willing to take part in anything either social or competitive of the sort.

I do regular fitness training of my own both in the gym and on the beach, and particularly enjoy assisting youth in sports by conducting positive activities, as I like coaching.

Otherwise though I love music, appreciate photography and enjoy camping.

Volunteer work?

Much of my volunteer work has been completed while in the Western Rovers youth organization, continually assisting over a 9-year period with its administration. This included frequent charity activities, particularly annually with PALS and Lindo’s.

Sports/Awards/Involvement

My entire life has had sporting affiliations, and I have represented Bermuda in both football and tennis.

I first took part in the Bermuda Youth Sports Program (BYSP) at 5 years old, and played several seasons of football, basketball and baseball.

In tennis, I won several local tournaments, and have been ranked as high as #1 in the junior rankings. Beginning at 9 years old at the Port Royal courts (under coach Steve Bean), I represented the club and then Bermuda twice overseas in the Caribbean Championships, beginning at 11 years old. I won my first adult tournament at 12 years old, and have won interschool tournaments while representing Warwick Academy, Saltus Grammar and Bournemouth Grammar. University commitments made me unable to play Davis Cup tennis recently for Bermuda.         

In track and field athletics I set under-16 national records in javelin and shot put, also winning the discus, earning the Champion Boy award in 2005.

However, my most major achievements have come in football. I first represented Bermuda as a junior at 15 years old and made my senior debut at 16, making additional appearances since then. I played for all school teams and participated in school All Stars games. With club team Western Rovers (beginning in 1998), I led the team as captain to local league and knockout championships, and led the team on many tours to the UK. I received many awards including frequent leadership acknowledgements, and have received MVP awards at both David Bascome and Shaun Goater camps in Bermuda. I’ve been a guest player overseas for FC Delco, and have trained and played extensively in England. At Adelphi, I started all 21 matches for the university’s Division 1 team as a defender. The team posted a 3.34 GPA, which was recognized by the NSCAA to be the highest in the nation. We (Adelphi) won our conference undefeated, posting the conference’s best defensive statistics and earning a sport in the annual NCAA tournament.

Your thoughts as to what IT means to you and Bermuda.

The world of information technology is ever evolving, as is the world we live in. Computers and IT systems provide people with the tools they need to accomplish everyday tasks for business, education, and personal reasons, and have proven to be a more time-efficient and effective way of processing data than other traditional methods. For me, IT represents the future since it can be applied in such a vast number of ways to a wide range of professions. The world is becoming more and more reliant on computers systems and the Internet, and so it is also becoming more dependant on those who can offer and maintain them. As far as Bermuda is concerned, we stand to benefit from the improvements of IT, as we are a country that features big business.

Ultimate career aims.

At present I am working towards completing my CMIS degree with particular interest in programming, management information systems, and systems analysis. However, with my other areas of interest - Sports Management and Math, I hope to eventually integrate the skills I gain from each and settle into an appropriate field. After gaining at least a Master’s Degree, I would like to be a business owner one day. However, pursuing a career in Actuarial Science has always interested me.
Andrew Nash - 2006 Scholar

Where were you educated?

The first 12 years of my education was spent in Bermuda at Saltus Grammar School. After I completed my GCSE’s, I studied for two years at Fettes College, a boarding school in Edinburgh, Scotland in order to complete the A levels I needed to get into university in the UK.

What University do you attend?

I am currently at St. Andrews University, Scotland studying Computer Science.

What work experience have you had over the summers?

I am presently employed as a summer student at Independent Consulting Solutions, in the Operating Systems department. In previous years I have worked at Bermuda Air Conditioning, and Dockyard Glassworks.

Hobbies?

In previous years I played the trumpet in a handful of bands, as well as playing the bagpipes on my own. I am currently learning how to play the acoustic guitar. Digital photography would be my favourite hobby, combined with photo editing on the computer. I can occasionally be caught reading and writing short fictional stories.

Volunteer work?

Whilst at school in Bermuda I attended weekly volunteer work at The Botanical Gardens with a few other students. In Scotland, I did photography for the school magazine. In Bermuda, I helped David Semus teach fencing to children at Windreach.

Sports/Awards/Involvement

I have been fencing for three years now, competing in tournaments in the UK, including the British Schools Championship at Crystal Palace in London as an epeeist. I plan to keep fencing for some time, and hope to help David inspire more Bermudians to fence.

Your thoughts as to what IT means to you and Bermuda.

IT serves as the backbone for any modern business these days, giving us the ability to handle difficult tasks and quickly provide good solutions. IT also influences our lives outside the workplace, serving as a method of entertainment and communication with our friends. I believe IT deserves the most credit for modern development of Bermuda and the world.

Ultimate career aims.

Once I have completed my Computer Science degree I will either study for another degree in philosophy or I will continue to gain more work experience. My ultimate career aim is to start up my own IT company in Bermuda.
Sheldon L. Johnston - 2005 Scholar

Where were you educated?

I have attended Bermuda Institute for 13 years, enduring primary, middle and secondary school in the same prestigious Christian institution. I graduated in 2002.

What University do you attend?

I attend Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

What work experience have you had over the summers?

I have had the privilege of working for the Bermuda College IT department (Academic Technology Services) and Ignition, a managed service provider. Prior to these I worked at White and Sons.

Hobbies?

I have previously enjoyed piano lessons and hope to continue them soon. I am an avid basketball lover and player. I also enjoy web designing and poetry writing.

Volunteer work?

I have volunteered within the community while attending Bermuda Institute, who has introduced us to patients of the KEMH and St. Brendan’s hospitals and various homes in the community. We shared literature and song with the patients. I have also had these privileges while a member of the pathfinders and my church, Pembroke S.D.A. I aid my paraplegic cousin, artist Troy Landy. I am currently assisting him in creating a Troy Landy website.

Sports/Awards/Involvement

I have enjoyed various tournaments and summer camps associated with cricket, soccer and basketball. During high school I participated in the Freddie Evans basketball camps. In 2002, I participated in the Bermuda College basketball  tournament.

Your thoughts as to what IT means to you and Bermuda.

To Bermuda, IT means better organization, ease of completing work; ease of completing community/government obligations and less waiting lines. It also means increased and an easier means of cooperation with other countries. The same applies to me. IT also means an ever-increasing personal knowledge of computers.

Ultimate career aims.

Upon completion of the Business Information Systems Degree, I excitingly await the continuation of expanding my IT knowledge, working for firms like Ignition until I have enough resource to initiate an IT firm of my own.

 
Nicole Mitchell - 2004 Scholar

Where you were educated in Bermuda?

I attended the Bermuda High School for Girls for 11 years after which I transferred to Trinity College School, Ontario, Canada to complete my high school education.

Where are you at university?

Upon completing my high school diploma with Honours, I was accepted at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada where I have now completed three years of study towards my Honours Bachelors Degree in Computing and Information Science. During my Sophomore and Junior years, I was named to the Dean's Honours list.

What work experience you have had over the summers?

I gained valuable work experience over the past two summers while employed by the Bank of Bermuda Limited in their information technology department where I set up log files and several servers, created and programmed a clock webpage, re-designed the department’s webpage and updated the Bank’s e-mail and log-in accounts. This current summer, I am working at PricewaterhouseCoopers to gain insight into those accounting areas related to information technology.

Hobbies?

My hobbies include rowing, playing the piano, reading and triathlon training.

Volunteer work?

I have always been actively involved in the community. I have assisted in teaching Sunday School at St. Michael's Church and while at Trinity, I helped tutor middle school students in a neighbouring school, was a library steward and a computer buddy. This past year, I volunteered as a Kaleidoscope Buddy at Queen’s University whereby I was paired with a primary school student whom I visited on a regular basis to assist him with his studies and social skills, a role which I will be continuing this forthcoming year. In addition, I am an active volunteer of both the Kingston Ontario Humane Society and the SPCA in Bermuda. I am a recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards and am currently working towards my Gold Award.

Sports / Awards / Involvement

I have enjoyed and participated in Sports all my life. I was a member of the Bermuda Gymnastics Association and during my two years at Trinity College School, I represented the school on several sports teams. I was awarded Bigside Colours (First Team Award) for Field Hockey and Rowing, The Middleside Field Hockey Trophy awarded to the Most Improved Player and also The Chapman Trophy as Top Novice Oarswoman. In addition, I also swam on the Bigside swim team and achieved personal best times. I recently joined the newly-formed Bermuda Rowing Association and am also involved in triathlon training.

Your thoughts as to what IT means to you and Bermuda

As the sciences have been a strength of mine, I have always been interested in the study of information technology. Computing and Information Science is the study of all aspects of problem solving with computers whether these problems include data, communications, computations or any of the many varied applications of computers in our lives today. The field of information technology is very diverse and opens up many opportunities in areas such as medicine, economics, accounting, the social sciences and engineering. As technology continues to evolve, a strong background in computer science will be an advantage. The demand for graduates in this field is extremely high and there are not enough qualified individuals in Bermuda currently available to meet this demand. It is readily apparent that Information Technology is part of our everyday world and will continue to play an ever increasing role in both our workplace and personal lives.

Ultimate career aims

Upon completion of my Honours Bachelors Degree in Computing and Information Science, I intend to further my education at the Graduate Level and obtain the Chartered Accountancy qualification. I believe that with a combination of Information Technology and Accounting, I will be well positioned to make a significant contribution to any business organization.
Christopher Pullen - 2003 Scholar

Christopher currently attends the University of Toronto where he is pursuing an Honors degree in Computer Science and Economics. A graduate of Saltus, Christopher's outstanding performance in the IGCSE/GCSE examinations at the end of his high school career placed him in the top 4% of students taking these exams around the world. Christopher has attained brown belt status in Karate and achieved both Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. He has also volunteered time with the Pembroke Rotary Club, the Bermuda Hospitals Auxiliary Board and the Open Airways Asthma Charity. His future career aspirations include forming a computer consulting company in Bermuda. Christopher is currently studying for his CompTIA A+ certification.

chris.pullen@utoronto.ca
Michelle Walkes - 2002 Scholar

Michelle Walkes is the third Ewan Sampson Scholar, elected in 2002. Attended the Berkeley Institute and the Bermuda College (studying computer information systems).

In 2001, Michelle enrolled at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Business Administration.

Michelle is a member of the Bermuda Triangle Association and the Caribbean Society. At home (Bermuda), she plays the trumpet (hobby) and attends St. James Church.

mwalkes@hotmail.com
Keiran Bradshaw - 2001 Scholar

Keiran Bradshaw is the second Ewan Sampson Scholar, elected in 2001. Keiran attended the Saltus Junior and Senior School.

In 2000, Keiran began studying at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Computer Science degree and plans to graduate in April 2006.

Keiran is currently a member of Dalhousie's Squash Club and Christian Fellowship. In addition, he plays the Djembe and other African Drums for various bands on and off campus.

kieran@kraftywerx.com
Del-keesha Hanley - 1999 Scholar

Del-keesha Hanley is the first Ewan Sampson Scholar, elected in 1999. Del-keesha attended Warwick Academy and the Bermuda College, where she received a General Studies Certificate and began the Associates in Business Administration program.

In 1997, Del-keesha enrolled at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Applied of Arts Degree in Information Technology and a Diploma in Business Administration.

Del-keesha is presently employed as a Programmer/Analyst at XL Re Bermuda Ltd. and is a member of the Computer Society of Bda. Del-keesha works actively in the Ewan Sampson Trust's outreach program, and is assisting re-designing / maintaining the web-site.

Del-keesha's motto is: "Grow from your experiences and learn from your mistakes."

dhanley@xlre.com