By Sarah Lagan
Published Jul 18, 2015 at 8:00 am (Updated Jul 18, 2015 at 2:17 am)

Guardians of our environment: From left, scholarship founder Robert Steinhoff,
scholarship winners Kahnae Bean and Shane Antonition, and Dr Ian Walker,
of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. (Photograph by Sara Westhead)

Kahnae Bean and Shane Antonition have been awarded the 2015 Steinhoff/BZS Scholarship for students pursuing degrees in the environmental sciences.

Ms Bean is entering her final year at University of Hertfordshire in the UK, where she is studying Environmental Management, while Mr Antonition is pursuing his BSc in Environmental Science at Plymouth University.

Former Bermuda Zoological Society president Robert Steinhoff established the scholarship in 2009 and since then more than $50,000 has been awarded to deserving students.

Ms Bean said she would like to return to Bermuda to gain employment in the environmental field on completion of a Master’s Degree.

She said: “I am very grateful for receiving this scholarship as it will help me this upcoming academic year.

“Thank you to BZS, Mr Steinhoff, and the scholarship committee for bringing me one step closer on the path towards my future career.”

Mr Antonition, who has also been a volunteer at BZS over the years, said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded this scholarship. The scholarship will help support my academic endeavours as I work towards my Bachelor’s Degree and look beyond. For that, I am very thankful for the support from Mr Steinhoff and everyone involved with the Steinhoff/BZS Scholarship.”

Mr Antonition said that he was inspired by the Kids on the Reef programme geared towards middle school students and sponsored by XL Catlin.

He added: “My main focus is to return to Bermuda and use my education to help protect our environment where needed.

“Recently, I’ve been inspired by the work of the Kids on the Reef programme and see an opportunity to introduce our youth to the beauty of our Island and the issues that it faces.

“I hope that in the future I can be a part of incredible initiatives such as this. My heart is always with the wellbeing of our environment and I wish to share that passion with those I meet.”

Eligible students to apply for the Steinhoff Scholarship must be pursuing degrees in accredited institutions. Students must be either in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree, or working towards a master’s or doctorate in their chosen field in order to qualify.

Mr Steinhoff added: “I am excited about our two scholarship recipients this year. They will make excellent future stewards of our environment.”