The Bahamas, March 25, 2025 – Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to announce the opening of the 2025 Carleton Williams Scholarship. This year the scholarship is open to all sixth-grade students attending public schools with a 3.0 GPA or above in Grand Bahama.

The scholarship rotates annually between primary students at Garvin Tynes Primary in New Providence and  . The winning scholar is awarded a scholarship to a local private school for the full six years of high school, subject to a minimum GPA requirement.

This year’s scholarship application will close on Sunday, May 11^th, 2025. Their applications will be reviewed by a panel, followed by an interview with the finalists.

The award which launched in 2016 was created to honor Carleton Williams CBE on his retirement as Chairman of the Board for Caribbean Bottling Company. Since then, this scholarship has impacted the lives of 10 students and their families.                                                                                                                                                                                                           The 2025 recipient will join CBC’s vibrant scholarship community, consisting of: Selena Cartwright, 2024; Timothy Kemp, 2023; Leonardo Sands, 2022; Maliyah Edgecombe, 2021; Angela Sands, 2020; Gabriel Hall, 2019; Kennedi Knowles and Anajah Culmer, 2018; Kailena Pinder, 2017 and 2016 inaugural scholarship winners, D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp on their academic journey.

Maliyah Edgecombe, a tenth-grade student at Bishop Michael Eldon Highschool and the 2021 recipient shared how this scholarship affected her life.

“This scholarship has made a great impact on my life. It has not only given me financial support but motivation to pursue in my academic and career goals.”

With CBC’s support, Edgecombe can explore her talents and passions. She is a member of various clubs and organizations such as: Key Club, The Governor General Youth Award (GGYA), Student Christian Movement (SCM), tennis, Georgia School of Dance (ballet, jazz and drama) and she plays clarinet in her church’s band.

Edgecombe recalled the moment her dreams became reality when she was informed that she had been chosen as the 2021 Carleton Williams Scholarship recipient.

“When I was informed that I was chosen for this scholarship, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions; gratitude, excitement and relief! I was elated to know that I was chosen from a myriad of students.” she expressed.

Upon the opening of this year’s scholarship, Edgecombe shared her support to the hundreds of students who will be applying or considering it.

“I would like to encourage those who are applying for the scholarship that no matter the outcome, the effort you put into applying for this scholarship is already a step toward your future. Keep pushing forward, remember that hard work pays off and never stop believing in yourself!”

Application closes May 11^th. For all those interested in applying or know someone who would benefit from this award visit www.cbcbahamas.com for complete details and to access the application.

Photo Caption: New Providence scholarship recipients posing during the 2024 Carleton Williams Scholarship workshop. (L-R) Angela Sands, 2020 recipient; Selena Cartwright, 2024 recipient, Zakiyah Neely and Karla Wells-Lisgaris, CBC’s Commercial Officer.

March 25, 2025 – World Travel Awards, (WTA) has announced that Cancún, Mexico has been selected to host its Latin America Ceremony 2025. The world-class city will welcome travel and tourism figureheads for the red-carpet on 27 September.  The announcement was made at a VIP signing in Madrid, organised by Secretaría Municipal de Turismo Cancún, on the eve of FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair 2025.

WTA’s debut reflects the buoyancy of the travel and tourism sector in Cancún and the beautiful state of Quintana Roo. Nestled on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, the destination offers the perfect blend of majestic beaches, historic sites, rich culture and a wealth of activities.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “After receiving applications from a strong field of prospective destinations, I am delighted to announce that World Travel Awards has selected Cancún as the Official Host Destination of the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025.”

“I look forward to welcoming travel industry leaders from across Latin America to experience the many delights of Cancún, from fabulous beaches, tropical forests and legendary nightlife to ancient Mayan sites.”

Juan Pablo de Zulueta, Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Cancún: says: “We are honoured that, for the first time, we have been unanimously chosen to host the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025 in Cancún. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms.”

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

Montego Bay, March 24, 2025 – The 12^th Global Leadership Summit (GLS) Jamaica will be held virtually on Thursday (March 27) under the distinguished patronage of Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

The Summit, being hosted by the Global Leadership Network (GLN) Jamaica under the theme ‘Design Your Future, Innovate, Inspire and Transform’, aims to equip mission-driven leaders with cutting-edge insights, innovative strategies and invaluable global connections to shape a thriving future.

The event will be divided into four sessions featuring presentations by eight transformational leaders. They include Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr. Carey Wallace, and Founder and Senior Pastor at Life Church in the United States and Best-Selling Author, Craig Groechel.

Country Leader and Central Regional Chair of GLN-Jamaica, Dr. Grace Kelly, said the Summit is set to be a “transformational experience”, noting that the event’s virtual format augurs well for achieving the initiative’s goals.

“It’s going to be so dynamic that, wherever you sit, you are going to feel as if you are in the real physical space, because we are going to be there behind the scenes, communicating with you, answering your questions. So you can watch this in the comfort of your home. I’m assuring the teams, those who will be attending, that after the day of the Summit, we will make arrangements for those who may [want] to watch it again, just so that they can get the full experience,” she told JIS News.

Dr. Kelly emphasised that, “We are investing in leaders who will shape Jamaica’s future… leaders who will innovate, who will create jobs, who will strengthen communities, and who will inspire a new generation of changemakers.”

She also highlighted that the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information sent out a bulletin about the event. Additionally, the Nursing Council of Jamaica is granting five continuing education credits to nurses who participate in the Summit.

For his part, Summit Co-Chair, Reverend Dave Falconer, told JIS News that the event promises to be an “unforgettable experience”.

“GLS is a world-class leadership conference that empowers leaders, providing them with fresh, actionable and inspiring leadership content wherever they lead,” he said.

He informed that, “it brings together leaders from every sector of the society, [such as] churches, business, corporate, government and unions”.

“It’s a galvanising event that emanates from the US (United States) and will simulcast in the United States and Canada and through videocasts around the world in up to 136 countries,” Rev. Faulkner further indicated.

Persons can register online to attend the event at iteneri.com/summit2025 or call 876-343-2252 for details.

The registration cost per person in Jamaica is $6,500, with students paying $3,000. For individuals registering overseas, the cost is US$50 per person and US$30 for students. Group rates are also available for leaders who want to bring their teams.

Lead Producer of GLS Jamaica, Dwayne Madden, advised that registration will be facilitated up to March 26, details of which can be accessed online, while pointing out that more than 1,000 persons can be accommodated.

Thereafter, he said a link will be forwarded prior to the Summit to enable participants to ensure they are “ready to go on March 27”.

CONTACT: SERENA GRANT

Release: JIS