By Leanne McGrath
Published Sep 5, 2014 at 8:00 am (Updated Sep 4, 2014 at 10:46 pm)

Education boost: Recipients of the 2014 Steinhoff/BZS Scholarships, Miguel Mejias,
Kate Cooper, Kascia White, are pictured with scholarship founder Robert Steinhoff,
left, and BAMZ principal curator Dr Ian Walker? ((Photo by L Johnson))

Three young Bermudians have been awarded $5,000 each to help them continue their studies.

Miguel Mejias, Kate Cooper and Kascia White are this year’s recipients of the Steinhoff/Bermuda Zoological Society Scholarship for those pursuing degrees in environmental sciences.

The award was established in 2009 by the former president of BZS, Robert Steinhoff, and qualifying students must be in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree or working towards a master’s or doctorate.

More than $50,000 has been given to deserving students since the scholarship was launched.

Mr Mejias has worked at BZS and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo for many years and has worked closely with the Department of Conservation Services on Island-wide longtail breeding surveys, and with Dr David Wingate in studying the cahow. He hopes to study the breeding success of longtails in natural and artificial nests.

“Upon completing my programme, I am hoping to gain more field experience abroad,” said Mr Mejias, who is commencing a two-year master’s programme in biology specialising in conservation at Memorial University in St John’s, Newfoundland.

“I hope to work in terrestrial conservation so I can study Bermuda’s local population of breeding birds, like the cahow.”

Ms Cooper has worked with BZS and BAMZ since she was a teenager, taking part in the junior volunteer programme and working as a Stempel intern during the summer after her first year at university.

“I hope to gain work experience overseas for a few years before returning to Bermuda to work with either the Aquarium or Conservation Services,” said Ms Cooper, who is studying zoology with conservation at Bangor University in Wales. “Receiving this scholarship assists me in getting my master’s, which will allow me to gain more experience, and hopefully make me more employable in the future.”

Ms White, who has also served as summer student for BAMZ and Conservation Services, is beginning a 16-month master’s programme in marine management at Dalhousie University.

“I plan to return to Bermuda and gain employment in the field of marine conservation and management,” she said. “During my degree, I have the opportunity to intern abroad and I am hoping to gain useful knowledge and experience that I can bring back and use throughout my career in Bermuda.

“I am extremely grateful for receiving this prestigious award and I look forward to completing my degree and continuing on the path towards my future career.

“Thank you to BZS, Mr Steinhoff, and the scholarship committee — I will continue to work to make this institution proud.”

Dr Ian Walker, principal curator at BAMZ, praised the dedication of the students and said they would benefit Bermuda in future.