TKF Scholarship Profiles

2010

Samuel Brown
Samuel Brown is a nineteen year old student from West End, Grand Bahama. Before graduating Grand Bahama Catholic High School in 2008 with honours, he obtained six Bahamas General Certificates of Secondary Education (BGCSE’s), namely distinction in History and Religion, special credit in English language, and credit in Mathematics, Chemistry and Spanish. During this time Samuel was also an active member of Junior Achievement, causing him to receive the award for the Most Distinguished Achiever for The Year, the highest honour attributed to a student by the organization. Samuel was also an accomplished debater. He was a member of the winning team in the National Debate for the year 2007, receiving the award for “Best Speaker Overall’ and “Top Debater.” Additionally, he became the first Bahamian in the history of Junior Achievement to win the National Speech Competition for three years consecutively. Upon graduation from high school, Samuel attended Saint John’s University in Minnesota for two years, where he majored in Philosophy and minored in Sociology and Political Science. In January 2011, he will commence studies at the University of Buckingham, London England, to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Politics. Samuel is committed to being a positive example for other young people, speaking on various issues from crime to road safety. He hopes that upon completing his tertiary education, he can help to give back to the community of West End and by extension the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for decades to come.

2009

Bionka Pedican
Bionka is twenty years old and lives in Bootle Bay. Bionka has been a recipient of The Kohn Foundation’s scholarship program since 2007. She graduated from Tabernacle Baptist Academy in June of 2007. Presently, she is a student at the College of the Bahamas (Northern Campus), where her major is Business Management. After completing her tertiary education, Bionka plans to open her own business. The establishment will be created based on the needs of the community. She hopes that her business will not only be based in Freeport, where she lives, but throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. In addition, she also plans to give back and to serve wherever she is needed within the community of West End. Bionka does not only want to give back, but wants the children in West End to know how important an education is to her and how far it can lead you, along with manners and respect. Apart from her studies, Bionka likes to surf the Internet, participate in church functions and loves to interact with new friends, made on a daily basis. Her hobbies are singing, reading Bahamian stories and novels and spending time with family members and close friends.

Silia Woodside
Silia graduated from Sunland Baptist Academy at 17 years old in the year 2009. She also participated in the Junior Achievement Program, serving as the VP of Marketing, which allowed her to experience owning a business and working its executive board. Silia also participated in the Governor General’s Youth Award and received her Bronze and Silver award. This taught her the value of teamwork and survival skills. She learned never to take anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, for granted. In her home community of West End, Silia serves around the altar of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church as a member of the Altar Server's Guild and also as a member of the Christian Youth Movement. Silia is currently a student at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, going into her second year of study. She hopes to graduate in April 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and then to attend Graduate School to receive her Masters and PhD in Marine Biology. She is dedicated to conserving the future of her community by educating the youth of West End and encouraging them to pursue tertiary education, also by enlightening the people of her community and letting them know how important it is to conserve the natural resource that is our beautiful ocean and the diversity of life that thrives from it.

Barronique Duncombe
Barronique graduated from Sunland Baptist Academy, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas in 2007. She is a talented 20- year old and is currently enrolled at East Texas Baptist University, Marshall TX. At ETBU Miss Duncombe majors in Mass Communication and minors in Psychology. Her future plans are to become a science Journalist and work as a writer for National Geographic. At school Miss Duncombe stays involved because she loves fellowship with others. She works on staff as a writer with the school news paper the Compass, is an active member in the on campus Christian organization .COM; she sings in the chapel choir, is involved in a poetry exhibition in Marshall, TX and just recently joined “The Big Read” movement to encourage reading in America. Barronique comes from a six person family in the small community of West End, Grand Bahama. She is the eldest of sixteen grandchildren, and one of the first in her family to go off to school for college. With the help from the Kohn Foundation, Miss Duncombe can be well on her way to achieve her goals.

2007

Romal Russell
Romal is a graduate of Freeport Anglican High School. He is a 21 year old honor roll student at the College of the Bahamas in Freeport. He is majoring in accounting and international relations and is at the beginning of his junior year. After completing the Bachelor Program at COB he plans to transfer to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia to pursue his Master's. Romal is also employed with Saybolt LP Bahamas ltd., where he is a petroleum inspector. He serves as the Assistant Treasurer and Director of Grounds & Facilities in The College of The Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS). He is also a member of the Altar Server's Guild of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, and is past president of that church's Christian Youth Movement. Romal is a former Scout leader and certified first responder. He also worked for the West End Urban Renewal Program, which was organized after the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. In that capacity, he served as Assistant Team Leader and trained in disaster shelter management through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Britney Stubbs
Brittney is one of TKF's 2007 new scholars from West End. She is 17 years old and graduated from Tabernacle Baptist Academy in June, 2007. She participated in the Junior Achievement Program, which helped her learn about determination and hard work. Now Brittney advises other students about school, attitude and achievement. She plans to become a dentist, and chose this career path because of the shortage of dentists in the Bahamas. Brittney enjoys computers and the internet, along with volleyball and soccer. Brittney plans on studying at the College of the Bahamas in January 2008 to begin her journey to dentistry.

Prior to 2007

Sasha Williams
Sasha is 20 years old, a senior at Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. She is majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Pre-Med. Sasha plans on attending Medical School next year to begin her studies in Cardiology. Shasha is hoping that she will be offered a scholarship. Her three top choices for medical school are: Ross University in New Jersey, The University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and Georgia Medical School in Savannah, Georgia. She is a member of many organizations such as Bethune Cookman’s famous Concert Chorale, F.O.B.S (Federation of Bahamian Students), and F-GAM, a science club that gives students the opportunity to travel to other universities to compete for graduate school scholarships. She is also a member of the national honor society. Sasha is an honor student, making the Dean’s list every semester for three years.

Eurika Rolle
Eurika is 20 years old, and plans to become a registered nurse. She attends the College of the Bahamas at the Freeport campus, where she begins her nursing program in January. Eurika would like to specialize in pediatric nursing because she desires to work with children, especially those with special needs. In her spare time, Eurika serves as a member of the Holmes Rock Youth Club. She works part-time as a babysitter while attending college.

Rashelle Lightbourne
Rashelle is 18 years, the oldest of seven children. She attends the College of the Bahamas in Nassau, where she is studying chemistry and plans to become a pharmacist. Rashelle excelled in high school, where she earned many awards, including Honor Roll, and certificates of Merit in Biology, Geography, Math, Spanish and Computer. She graduated with Distinction from Freeport Anglican High School in 2005. Rashelle also participated in Key Club, Cheerleading, Volleyball and Soccer. She plans to excel in Pharmacology while in pursuit of her career.

Kevin Morris
Kevin is 21 years old and attends the College of the Bahamas in Freeport. He is currently in his first year of a four year program for a degree in history. He plans to become a secondary school teacher, and also intends on pursuing a Doctorate degree, which will be an additional four years of study. Kevin attended Eight Mile Rock High School. He was the Youth Leader at his church, The Christian Bethel Baptist Church. He was also president of the Holmes Rock Youth Club. Kevin plays softball in his spare time and enjoys working with the youth in a group called the Christian Student Movement.

Marquita Cooper
Marquita has received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Business Studies at the Carlos Raphael Rodriguez University in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Marquita had to learn and become fluent in Spanish in order to attend class at the University. She took seven subjects per semester and her program was six years. Marquita was the “residential manager” of her dormitory, and was elected to serve as the Bahamian Representative for Cuba in the International Youth Conference which was held in Venezuela in 2005. She has pursued and obtained a Masters Degree in Business Management at the University of Camaguey in Camaguey, Cuba. Her family was one of those which were severely impacted by Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in 2004. She would not have been able to return to college in Cuba had TKF not helped with a scholarship.

Moses Moxey, Jr.
The Kohn Foundation has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to West End. It has helped me in more ways that one by allowing me to become a Bridge Watchman and it gave me the opportunity to receive a first class education in a Canadian School where I graduated at the top of the class. I am currently attending the University of Nebraska, Kearney, where I am maintaining an A average. I am working hard, gaining the respect of my professors, and proving to myself that I can do this on my own. I have also gained a close bond with the founder who as taught me what it truly means to love, by her willingness to help animals all around. I am currently trying to go and build the knowledge that I have now by going into college so that later on I may become a sponsor to some young child that mirrors my life. Though the times are tough, this foundation is tougher and is committed to helping the young people of this community. I can't wait until I can finally say that final thank you to this foundation and I no longer need to be a supportee but a supporter and help to perpetuate the vital cycle of Education. Until then I encourage every one out there that is able to give to do so, because by giving it is giving us a chance to give.

Maressa Michelle Flora Hanna
Maressa attends the College of the Bahamas and is planning on becoming an attorney. She is preparing an Associate Degree in History at the COB. After she completes this degree, Maressa plans to attend the University of the West Indies to obtain her law degree. Like the other young ladies, Maressa is dedicated to making a difference in West End through youth mentoring, tutoring and coaching. She plans on returning to the community some day to encourage other students to continue with their studies and attend college.

Alexis Nairn
Alexis is the daughter of Mary and Godfrey Nairn, who reside in Bootle Bay. Alexis graduated from Florida Metropolitan University with an Associate of Science Degree in Hospitality Management. Alexis also worked as the Administrative Assistant for International Admissions while attending school full-time. in She is currently enrolled at Florida Memorial University to get a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Management. Her major is Hospitality and her minor is Business. She plans to continue with an MBA in Hospitality Management. Alexis has been very active in the West End community. She is a former Scout Leader and Church Group President. She is dedicated to furthering her education and serving as a role model for other students who have the courage to leave West End and go the U.S. or the College of the Bahamas for higher education.