Knowledge Quest-HSBC Scholarship Recipients

HSBC Bermuda announced the recipients of the Knowledge Quest-HSBC Scholarship, with Cashun Brangman, Lashuntae Dill-Assing, Deja Grant, Messiah Greaves, Solomon Pearman, and Davondra Sealey all receiving scholarships.

A spokesperson said, “In 2020, HSBC Bermuda [HSBC] has recommitted its partnership with the Knowledge Quest charity, providing 6 additional students with scholarships as they work towards completing their university education abroad.

“The 6 deserving students are: Cashun Brangman [Mechanical Engineering Technology, Seneca College]; Lashuntae Dill-Assing [BSc in Nursing, Delaware State University]; Deja Grant [BA Criminology and Psychology, University of West London]; Messiah Greaves [LLB, University of West England]; Solomon Pearman [Software Engineering, Solent University] and Davondra Sealey [Information Technology, Purdue University].

Scholarship recipient Lashuntae Dill-Assing shared, “Receiving the scholarship means that I am now financially positioned to further my education. It means that I am that much closer to realizing my dream career in Nursing. This gives me hope that I can one day share with others just how sponsors have contributed to my future.”

Cashun Brangman also added what the scholarship means to him, “I would like to thank Knowledge Quest and HSBC for giving me this opportunity. This has really changed my life and given me hope. This scholarship has also allowed me to focus more on school instead of worrying about where my next payment is coming from and will help me achieve a lifelong goal. Again, I want to thank all the donors who help young Bermudians like me further our education. One day I hope I can be in a position to return the favour and help other young Bermudians to achieve their goals.

Speaking on behalf of Knowledge Quest Ltd., Co-President Kathy Lines expressed her gratitude, “Thanks to HSBC’s generous donation to Knowledge Quest, the students will be able to realize their dreams of being the first in their families to obtain a university education abroad. Knowledge Quest’s mission is to provide financial assistance to bright, eager Bermudian students who want to obtain a college/university degree to better their lives. Since 2002, we have been able to help over 220 Bermudian students obtain a university education. HSBC’s commitment to advance the education of deserving Bermudians is a ‘win-win’ for all – the students, their families, future employers and the community in which we all live together.”

Tanya Bule, Head of Wealth Personal Banking and HSBC Executive Sponsor of the partnership shared, “All young people should be afforded the opportunity for higher learning which is why supporting educational initiatives such as this is of the utmost importance. Education is the very foundation to a thriving community as it empowers individuals to enhance their skill sets and employability, while working towards realising their potential. On behalf of HSBC, congratulations to these eager and charismatic individuals as they progress through their academic year.”

KFC Donates Over $5,000 To Knowledge Quest

Following a very successful 5th consecutive ‘Halloween Treat Voucher’ Campaign, KFC announced that they raised $5,058 in support of Knowledge Quest, after another year of selling treat voucher booklets at their Queen Street, Hamilton location.

Knowledge Quest has provided approximately 220 college and university scholarships to Bermudians of limited financial means since its formation in 2002, so KFC was excited to handover a sizable cheque to help the charity, its initiatives and those who need financial assistance.

For only two dollars, packets of 5 vouchers were available from KFC to redeem for KFC product with retail value up to $12.25. Each voucher allows a child aged 12 or under to redeem it and receive either an apple turnover, one order of French fries or a chocolate chip cookie. All vouchers are valid until January 31st, 2020 at KFC’s Hamilton location.

Ms. Cynthia Cox, Director at Knowledge Quest said, “We were delighted that KFC decided to partner with us in this year’s Halloween fundraising initiative. For those who did not know who we are, or what we do, this campaign was a great opportunity to get our message out to Bermuda’s youth; that there are needs-based scholarships available to those who do well in high school”.

Ms. Cox continued, “We are very grateful to KFC, and everyone who purchased a voucher booklet. Knowledge Quest is a fully volunteer-operated charity with every dollar raised going toward scholarship grants. On behalf of everyone at Knowledge Quest, we ‘Thank You’ for doing the right thing and funding college/university education for Bermudians with legitimate financial need.”

Ms. Ginene Haslam, General Manager of KFC, says: “We would like to thank our customers for supporting this campaign. We are very happy to have raised $5,058, and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the two [2] top fundraisers: Tashay Minks and Kelly Tweed. We know how challenging fundraising can be for local Charities, so being able to help their local programmes and initiatives with this contribution is rewarding”.

Should you want to find out more about Knowledge Quest and its initiatives, please feel free to contact Ms. Cynthia Cox at info@knowledgequest.bm and visit the site made and funded by graduates at www.knowledgequest.bm.

Knowledge Quest-HSBC Scholarship Graduates

In 2014, HSBC Bermuda, in celebration of HSBC‘s 10th Anniversary in Bermuda, donated a total of $250,000 to Knowledge Quest Ltd, a registered college/university scholarship charity.

HSBC’s donation funded scholarships that were to run over the course of 5 years to 6 students who had secured college or university placements and had demonstrated financial need.

In 2014, three-year HSBC-Knowledge Quest Scholarships were awarded to the first cohort of recipients: Jecar Chapman [Pre Med/Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Canada], Crystal Dill [Psychology, Kean University, United States] and Kiara Wilkinson [Law, Kingston University, United Kingdom] who since have either completed their degrees or are very near to doing so.

In 2017, Knowledge Quest and HSBC identified the second and final group of future HSBC Scholars. Funding in the amount of $100,000 for two year scholarships will be allocated between three deserving recipients as they strive to complete the final years of their degree programmes. Awardees selected were Taja’mes Branch [Kinesiology, Dalhousie University, Canada], Jahfari Tucker [Business/Accounting, Dalhousie, Canada] and Azari Thomas [Economics, University of Virginia].

Kathy Lines, Co-President of Knowledge Quest Ltd. stated “Thanks to HSBC’s generous donation to Knowledge Quest, six Bermudians in need of financial support will be able to realize their dreams of obtaining a university education abroad. Knowledge Quest’s mission is to provide financial assistance to bright, eager Bermudian students who want to obtain a college/university degree to better their lives.

“Since 2002, we have been able to help over 155 Bermudian students obtain a university education. We are so grateful to HSBC for its generous donation of $250,000 spanning five years and for supplying a mentor to each of the HSBC-named scholars. HSBC’s commitment to advance the education of deserving Bermudians is a ‘win-win’ for all – the students, their families, future employers and the community in which we all live together.”

HSBC CEO, Mark Watkinson, shared, “Education is the foundation to a prosperous community. It enables an individual to realise their ultimate potential, enhance their skills set and employability while working towards becoming productive members of our society.

“All young people should be afforded the opportunity for higher learning which is why at HSBC we recognise the importance of supporting educational initiatives such as this. We are pleased to have partnered with Knowledge Quest Ltd. in identifying these motivated, eager and charismatic individuals as HSBC’s newest scholars.”

Island Challenge 2013

Knowledge Quest had three teams participate in the Island Challenge on March 9th and had a brilliant time while raising money for The Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda, De Boys Day Out Club and Knowledge Quest!

See our team photos in our Photo Gallery.

See all the photos at the Royal Gazette.

Big Brothers & Big Sisters Lunch and Learn

Many Knowledge Quest graduates express interest in giving back to the community and several have volunteered and provided invaluable support to KQ. As directors realized that Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda/BBBS has ongoing need for mentors, they contacted Big Brothers and scheduled a Lunch and Learn on June 15th in Hamilton for KQ graduates and friends.

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KQ 10th Anniversary Featured in the Royal Gazette

By Alyssa Brewer

Scholarship charity Knowledge Quest celebrated its tenth anniversary this week. More than 140 students needing financial aid have been able to attend university through the charity’s assistance; more than 100 have graduated.

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