EC Enactus, Sunshine Insurance Host Annual Scholarship Contest

2017 Dec 21

Members of the Elmira College Enactus Team again spearheaded the annual Elmira College - Sunshine Insurance Essay Contest in Nassau, Bahamas. Alexander Garey of Grand Island, NY was one of four Enactus project leaders who facilitated the contest from Elmira, New York. Alison Wolfe, associate professor of marketing and Enactus advisor, joined three Bahamian EC alumnae, Alicia Burns '15, Janay Pyfrom-Symonette '08, and Errolisa Mcphee '09 in judging the contest.

Four Bahamian secondary students were the recipients of $150,000 in scholarships for their entrepreneurial spirit as judged during the competition.

Britani Silvera of Lyford Cay International School was crowned this year's champion for her business plan, winning the $60,000 grand prize scholarship to attend Elmira College. Runners-up Yana Swain of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, Jason Deveaux of Jordan Prince Williams, and Rakell Riley of Central Andros High each earned $30,000 in Elmira College scholarships.

The contest, held jointly by the Elmira College Enactus team and Sunshine Insurance in Nassau, Bahamas, has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships since its inception during the 2003-04 academic year.

Made possible by the work and generosity of Elmira College trustee Franon Wilson '97 and his wife Shelly Wilson, the contest calls for Bahamian high school students to submit an essay outlining their idea for a new product or service that could boost the Bahamian economy. The top ten contestants are invited to defend their ideas before a panel of judges in the Sunshine Insurance boardroom with Elmira-based judges participating via live-video conference.