"A special thank you to all the people who have helped me to smoothly transition into university life, not to mention living on my own. Thank you for your supportive advice... Thank you for the financial assistance...
Thank you for the leadership nomination... Thank you for the countless hours spent ensuring my details were correct... Thank you for believing in me... Thank you for always listening when I made those weekly calls... Thank you for your patience... Thanks for everything!!!"
- Derlon Felix

The Caribbean Hotel Association Education Foundation (CHAEF) awarded 26 academic scholarship totaling US$86,500 to promising Caribbean students and industry professionals from 13 Caribbean islands. Antigua-based hotelier Robert Sherman, chairman of CHAEF made the announcement in a press conference during the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Conference and Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

Applications were received from many Caribbean nationals with a wide variety of educational interests and industry backgrounds. Among the group of winners are high school graduates in pursue of Associate and Bsc. Degrees, hotel industry staff interested in professional development opportunities, and Tourism & Hospitality university graduates looking forward to advanced degrees and certifications. “We are thrilled to see that our continued efforts to reach the largest number of Caribbean destinations are beginning to bear fruit. Our goal is to contribute to the development of youth from each and every country in the region, and we will keep encouraging all destinations to submit applications” said Sherman.

The Caribbean Hotel Foundation is proud and pleased to publish below the list of successful Scholarship Recipients for the academic year 2007-2008. 
 
Thank you to all the applicants and the very best of luck to all the lucky winners.

	2007 Virgin Holidays Tourism Management Award:
Shelly-Ann Zena Stanislaus, St. Lucia Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management; Johnson & Wales University

	2007 Interval Scholarship Winners:
Godeliève Olibrice, Haïti Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management University of Aruba Brent Smith, Trinidad Master of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management University of Surrey, UK Sean Kuylen, Belize Culinary Arts, City College of San Francisco, California

	Johnson & Wales University Winners:
Jodi-Kay Reece, Jamaica Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management, Johnson & Wales University Derlon Felix, Trinidad International Hotel & Tourism Management, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus

Antigua	Nadia Robinson, Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Institute of America, New York Merelda Tyrell, Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Institute of America, New York
Bahamas	Anastasia Stubbs, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Tourism Management, College of The Bahamas
Barbados	Marilyn Bancroft, Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies, Barbados Community College Ramona Murray, Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies, Barbados Community College Akem Cadogan, Modern Buffet Presentation Techniques, Culinary Institute of America
Belize	Sean Kuylen, Culinary Arts, City College of San Francisco, California; Interval International Scholarship Winner
Dominica	Rhozi Kelly-Ann Williams, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hospitality Management, Florida International University.  Continuation of $10,000 Virgin Holidays Tourism Management Award won in 2005.
Dominican Republic	Ramón Montero-Moreno, Master's Degree in Finance and Business, Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Grenada	Lynthia Modeste, Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies, Barbados Community College Lyndeon George, Grenada, Barbados Community College; UK Caribbean Council Scholarship Winner
Haïti	Godeliève Olibrice, Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of Aruba
Jamaica	Jodi-Kay Reece, Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management, Johnson & Wales University, Florida - plus matching funds from the Institution Kayon Sinclair, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Okanagan College, Canada
Puerto Rico	Joanna Barreto, Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, Universidad del Este, Puerto Rico Jennifer Solivan, Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, Universidad del Este, Puerto Rico Alexis Pérez Rodríguez, Bachelor's Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus
St. Lucia	Shelly-Ann Stanislaus, Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management, Johnson & Wales University, Florida 2007 Virgin Holidays Scholarship Winner Claudia Edward, Bachelor's Degree in Hotel & Tourism Management, Institut Vatel Nîmes, France Sarah Serieux, Events & Convention Planning, Universidad del Este Puerto Rico; St. Lucia Golf Tournament Scholarship Winner
Suriname	Claire Antonius, Hotel Torarica Professional Development Scholarship Winner
Trinidad & Tobago	Sonia Beharry, Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management, Florida International University -  Continuation of $10,000 Virgin Holidays Tourism Management Award won in 2005. Derlon Felix, International Hotel & Tourism Management, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus; 2007 Interval International Scholarship Winner Brent Smith, Master of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK; 2007 Interval International Scholarship Winner