The third Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple Awards recipients are pictured with some of the presenters at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman on 20 June 2009. (Standing, back row L-R) Stuart Bostock, President Chamber of Commerce; Dale Crowley, Partner, Maples and Calder; Anthony Kaburu, St Ignatius High School; David Toney, Alternative Education Centre; Hon Rolston Anglin, Minister of Education (Seated, front row L-R) Leonora Mendoza-Hydes, Grace Christian Academy; Bernice Scott, Grace Christian Academy; Catherine Eugene, Cayman Academy; Marjorie Lois Ebanks, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Janet Harris, New Horizons High School; and Margaret Juman, Creek & Spot Bay Primary School Cayman Brac. (Photo by Kevin Shereves)

By Kevin Shereves
Kevin@caymannetnews.com

Eight of the Cayman Islands’ outstanding teachers received Golden Apple Awards this past weekend.
The educators were awarded for ‘dedication, professionalism and leadership’ at the third annual Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple Awards on Saturday, 20 June at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Minister of Education Hon Rolston Anglin presented the awards along with Chamber of Commerce President Stuart Bostock.

Mr Anglin addressed the nominees, saying, “Your nomination shows that you are held in high esteem by your school leaders, colleagues, parents and students and you have inspired us as a community with your passion, innovation and dedication to teaching.”

“In your roles as educators, we entrust our children’s futures into your hands, which is testimony to the high regard in which we as a community hold this most noble of professions,” Mr Anglin said. “In shaping the minds and the social development of the young people you are also helping to shape the future growth and prosperity of our beloved Cayman Islands.”

Mr Bostock remarked on the importance of teachers in our community. He said: “There are many people who go unrecognised in our community and the impact that teachers have on us all as we grow up is tremendous. The Golden Apple Awards is one way for the community to recognise and thank some of our educators who bring the best out in our children and prepare them for their places in society.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award in Education went to Marjorie Lois Ebanks and was presented by law firm Maples and Calder Partner Dale Crowley.

The award for Primary School Teacher in a Private School was presented to Catherine Eugene from Cayman Academy by Tammie Chisholm, Editor of Cayman Free Press.

Bernice Scott of Grace Christian Academy was awarded the prize of Middle School Teacher in a Private School by Roger Ponce of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Janet Harris, of the New Horizons High School at the George Hicks Campus, received the award for Middle School Teacher in a Public School from Angelyn Hernandez, Past President, Chamber of Commerce.

James O’Neill, Chamber of Commerce Vice President, presented the Golden Apple Award for High School Teacher in a Private School to Anthony Kaburu of St. Ignatius Catholic High School.

The Golden Apple for High School Teacher in a Public School went to David Toney, of the Alternative Education Centre and was presented by Mr Bostock.

Mr Anglin presented the Golden Apple Award for Principal in a Private or Public School to Leonora Mendoza-Hydes of Grace Christian Academy.

Lynn Smith-Moore, of Dart Cayman Islands, presented the award for Primary School Teacher in a Public School to Margaret Juman from Creek & Spot Bay Primary School in Cayman Brac.

Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Wil Pineau said: “The Chamber is very pleased to lead the way in recognising the importance of education and the tremendous resource we have in our teaching professionals - the everyday heroes who make a crucial difference in our children’s lives.

“We are eternally grateful for our teachers’ efforts to build character, instill knowledge, and make dreams come true. The course they set now, will determine our country’s success in the future. As the father of a teenage boy, I join all of you tonight in thanking our teachers for all they are doing for our young people.”

Mr Bostock said: “I was honoured to participate as Chamber President and present some of the awards to the honourees. My congratulations go out to them all and especially to Marjorie Ebanks who was recognised with the Maples Lifetime Achievement Award in Education. Thanks to our sponsors for making this happen and all those who attended.”