Five candy stripers — Surayya Trott-Cann, Starr Bowen, Kaitelyn Smith, Sacha Burchall, and Mishale Corday — were awarded a total of $30,000 in scholarships at the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda’s annual awards ceremony.
A spokesperson said, “Five local candy stripers received scholarships totalling $30,000 when the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda [HAB] held its annual awards ceremony on Sunday 27 July.”
“This year, we are proud to present 5 awards totalling $30,000,” said HAB President Glen Gibbons. “Eligibility for the awards is based on each student’s hours of service to the HAB, interaction with other volunteers and BHB [Bermuda Hospitals Board] and HAB staff members, community service and academic performance.
“Our decision was difficult this year as there are so many deserving applicants, however, rather than dilute the amount to be awarded by presenting too many we wanted our educational awards to make a meaningful contribution.”
New recipients
The spokesperson said, “Surayya was awarded the top amount for 2025. She has been a candy striper since 2021 and to date has completed 345 hours of service. Surayya’s ultimate plan is to become an obstetrician gynaecologist She was deputy head girl at Berkeley Institute with principal honours Q1 in her senior year and high honours in Q2. She holds the Nurse Rachel Andrade Spirit Award as well as Berkeley’s gold and bronze Community Service pins.”
Ms. Trott-Cann comments: “Candy Striping has been a great experience. It really taught me the ins and outs of the hospital. I can’t even begin to explain the amount of knowledge I’ve gained throughout my time there. I would say that over the years of volunteering, the big takeaway for me is that it taught me to be kind to everyone no matter who they are and what they look like because you never know what experiences they have been through in their lifetime.”
The spokesperson said, “Starr has been a candy striper since 2021 and has completed 318.5 hours of service to date. She also volunteers at the SPCA, Windreach and Bermuda Cancer and Health. Music has played a significant part of her life, since she was 3 years old. At Warwick Academy, Starr was a member of the junior and senior strings section and in 2023 received the Soloist Award and the Leadership Award.”
Ms. Bowen says: “During my time volunteering at the Hospitals Auxiliary as a candy striper I have been able to see the impact that small acts of kindness have on individuals including patients and staff at the hospital. Working here has allowed me to gain lots of valuable skills including better communication and responsibility as a volunteer.
“The hospital has given me valuable insight to what working in a healthcare setting would be like and has strengthened my desire to work in this field. I would like to thank the Bermuda Hospital Board as well as the Hospital Auxiliary of Bermuda for giving me the opportunity to help others and grow as an individual all while giving back the community and I am very grateful.”
The spokesperson said, “Kaitelyn has been a candy striper since 2021 and to date has completed 317 hours of service. She will attend Bermuda College to pursue an Associate of Science degree before going overseas to take on her actuarial science studies with the ultimate goal of becoming an actuary. Kaitelyn received Principal’s Honours and High Honours, and this summer took courses at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland where she was enrolled in the University’s Summer of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences programme.”
Ms. Smith comments: “What’s done in the dark will come to light. Being a volunteer candy striper taught me to do things from the heart without seeking recognition or reward. This is something that I can apply to other areas of my life.”
Continuing recipients
The spokesperson said, “Sascha has been awarded a second time as she is an honours student at her university.
Scholarship history
“The HAB has awarded scholarships to its candy stripers for more than 25 years. Bermuda Hospitals Board consultant anaesthesiologist, Dr Merate-Kristos Place; and clinical education manager of its Nursing Staff Development Department, registered nurse, Heloisa Ambrosio; are examples of HAB scholarship alumni who returned to the hospital to provide service.
Eligibility
“The HAB awards scholarships on an annual basis. Scholarships can be awarded to any candy striper current in the programme who has completed a minimum of two years. Previous awardees are now eligible to make an application for a second award. The awards may be used for continued studies in Bermuda or at an institution of higher learning abroad. Scholarships must be applied to the cost of education only, e.g., tuition, books and school fees.
Interested in becoming a candy striper?
“There are currently 109 candy stripers enrolled in the HAB program. The HAB intakes approximately 40 students annually. Interested young men and women must apply in writing before their 14th birthday. Email applications can be obtained from jane.wright@bhb.bm.”
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