The Bermuda Zoological Society announced the recipients of the 2020 BZS Steinhoff Scholarship and the Pye Scholarship. The three student recipients were selected based upon their interest and commitment to protecting the environment, together with accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement.
This year Freyja Kermode was awarded a BZS Steinhoff Scholarship with additional support from the Pye Scholarship, and Alfred “Trey” Maybury and Jessica Godfrey were additional recipients of the BZS Steinhoff scholarship.
“I am very pleased with our choice in recipients this year. They will make excellent future stewards of our environment,” said Robert Steinhoff, former BZS president, and founder of the BZS Steinhoff scholarship. “I wish all of the recipients success in their future studies and in achieving their career goals.” Mr. Steinhoff established the scholarship in 2009 to provide educational opportunities for Bermudian students pursuing degrees in the environmental sciences at accredited institutions.
The Pye Scholarship, granted in memory of John and Karen Pye, is normally awarded in the form of financial support for a summer internship at BAMZ for either a Canadian or Bermudian student. However, the committee decided to award the monies to assist a Bermudian Student with their overseas expenses and fees, in conjunction with the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship.
Freyja Kermode is currently studying online in her 3rd year of a 4-year programme to earn a Master’s in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. Her plan is to return to Bermuda and teach the next generation about ocean conservation through outreach programmes to schools across the island. “The financial support from the Steinhoff family, the Pye family and BZS means that I can continue my academic career,” said Ms. Kermode. “I am very thankful to be awarded this scholarship, as it makes my university experience possible!”
Alfred “Trey” Maybury is currently a Senior Animal Science major and Spanish minor studying at the University of Maryland, College Park. “It is my hope that after I graduate, I will go on to complete veterinary school and return to the island to practice”, said Mr. Maybury. “I would like to sincerely thank the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship committee for selecting me as a recipient and look forward to continuing my studies with the help of this award.”
Jessica Godfrey is currently studying a Master’s in Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. “I am extremely grateful to be awarded the BZS Steinhoff Scholarship, in order to pursue my studies and help further my career’, said Ms. Godfrey. “In the future I hope to pursue a career in Marine Biotechnology. I will use the knowledge I gain from my Master’s and apply it to marine diseases, in order to gain a greater understanding of diseases that affect the coral reefs around Bermuda.”
“We greatly appreciate the work of the Steinhoff Family and the Pye Family, and their support of environmental education”, said Colin Brown, President of the Bermuda Zoological Society. “Without them these scholarships would not exist nor the opportunity to assist scholars who are dedicating their post-secondary education to environmental causes. All three of our recipients this year are exceptional and impressed the scholarship committee in their academic excellence and perseverance towards their goals. We wish them every success in their coming year.”
