FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Seventeen of Grand Bahama's top primary scholars are set to take part in the country's premier national award recognition ceremony in New Providence and one of them could return with the overall title.  

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program was established in 1997 and recognizes the academic accomplishments of six grade students in The Bahamas.  This year, the foundation has planned two days of activities in the capital on May 17 and 18 along with a ceremony at the ballroom of Government House to climax the highly-anticipated event.

With more than 1,100 primary school students have been recognized and over $600,000 in scholarships and prizes presented, the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Celebrate Freeport Founders are joining forces to highlight the young leaders in their hometown.

Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, encouraged each honouree during the press conference in the ministry's boardroom Tuesday to continue to strive for excellence and take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them.

"Be that shining example of strength and courage and resilience that you demonstrate here on Grand Bahama," said Darville.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The members of the Honorary Consular Corps residing in The Bahamas visited Grand Bahama May 10 and were hosted to a breakfast meeting by the management of the Grand Lucayan Resort.

Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Michael Darville, fourth from left, front row, is pictured with the corps.

During their visit they also toured and visited the Freeport Container Port, Freeport Harbour, the Grand Bahama Shipyard, and Bahamas Brewery & Beverage Company Limited.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Yet another relevant and exciting speaker was brought in by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce to present at its monthly luncheons, Dionisio D’Aguilar, spoke to the over 70 attendees at the packed event held late last week.

Mr. D’Aguilar, a well respected businessman and former President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce was invited to give his views on the topic: The Freeport Model ... Obsolete Relic or Untapped Opportunity.

While this often outspoken member of the community is from Nassau, he does business in Freeport, being the Chairman of the Board of AML Foods, owners of Solomon’s and Cost Right. In declaring his familiarity with Freeport, he said he was very involved in the expansion of Solomon’s to the Lucaya Shopping Centre, commented that the Grand Bahama Port Authority was very welcoming and accommodating in helping that store get up and running in record time. He said that Freeport is very important to AML Foods as this island provides for 40 percent of its total sales.

At the onset of his presentation, Mr. D’Aguilar shared the history of Freeport Model, namely the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which was created in 1955. He stated that in essence, Freeport became a company town, with the company charged with developing the city and handling every aspect of its administration.

D’Aguilar then asserted, “Yet somewhere along the way, things went wrong! Over the past 50 years, Freeport has not experienced the kind of growth seen in Nassau or even Abaco for that matter!”

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama –– The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) wishes to congratulate the first two winners of its 'Update your Account Information' campaign.

The campaign is scheduled to run from April to July 8, 2013. Customers are asked to update account information by logging on to www.gb-power.com or by visiting the company’s main headquarters and be entered to win a prize.

Prizes include Kindles, laptops, Android tablets, a Samsung Galaxy S3 phone, and a 39 inch flat screen television grand prize.

"We have had a great response from our customers" said Katherine Demeritte, GBPC Director of Customer Services. "I encourage people to take advantage of the campaign as there are still more opportunities to win."  

Winners of the Kindles are pictured with GBPC staff (left to right): Katherine Demeritte (Director of Customer Service), Ann Hunt (Claims Administrator), Deloris Frith (prize winner), Thomas Missick (prize winner) and Lorene Stubbs (Customer Service Supervisor).

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Michael Darville visits the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute's Grand Bahama campus where he congratulates the 70 young applicants on being selected for training in the Government's Fresh Start Programme.

Each student will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

(BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn).

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society received a boost from Fidelity Bank (FBB: BISX) who is a proud sponsor of the organization’s annual fundraiser. The Buddy Walk, scheduled for this coming Saturday, May 11th is now in its second year. Proceeds raised from this event will be used to develop an Early Intervention Resource Guide for Children with Special Needs and support the Grand Bahama Special Olympics Team.

“Fidelity Bank takes pride in supporting an organization that strives to raise awareness, promote the acceptance and inclusion of children and adults with Down Syndrome,” said Allison Levarity, Branch Manager for Fidelity Bank in Grand Bahama.

“Families are the cornerstone of communities and Fidelity puts top priority in supporting a charity whose vision is to empower every person with Down Syndrome realize their potential as productive contributing members of the Grand Bahama community.”

“The Buddy Walk is a 1 mile walk event in which people with Down Syndrome invite ‘buddies’ to walk with them, providing an opportunity to inspire and educate participants, while celebrating the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down Syndrome,” informs Wende Hanna, President of Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society.