Isabella Hall – Academics

Isabella Hall is a consistent high achiever who has earned numerous academic awards beginning with her days at Red Bay Primary School.  When she moved on to John Gray High School in 2010, her leadership skills and friendly disposition were quickly identified, and she was made a Deputy Prefect.

While at John Gray Isabella was a member of the Save Our Youth (SOY) Foundation where she earned a medallion for Outstanding Community Service, Achievements and Contributions to the school. She was also involved in Key Club, the Business Education & Management Club and the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly which allowed her to lend her voice to the issues youth face and help promote positive leadership. A particularly enjoyable and fulfilling time during her high school career was the opportunity she had to tutor students who were struggling in Math and then watch them pass their CXC exams.

Isabella graduated with Honours after attaining 12 subject passes, and received several awards including Best Report. A most notable achievement was the Information Technology Award she won as she was the only female in the class.  Now at UCCI on a government scholarship, she is consistently on the Dean’s List for maintaining a grade point average above 3.5 in her pursuit of an Associate of Science degree in Computer Science.  Her goal is to continue her studies overseas and earn her bachelor’s degree as well as other IT certifications.

Recently, this 18-year old from George Town was asked to speak to the Year 9 students at Cayman Prep and High School about the real world of Information Technology (IT).  She sought to motivate the female students in particular, telling them that they can do just as well as their male counterparts in the IT sector which is dominated by men. 

Isabella’s plate is quite full as she juggles her school obligations with a part time job and helping her younger siblings with their school work but her determination and constant striving for excellence keep her motivated.  Her philosophy is, “Education never stops, and you cannot let negativity keep you from your goals”.

Tarec Francis – Community Service

By all accounts, 17-year old Tarec Francis is an impressive young man. He excels in both sports and academics; he is a leader; and he cares for others.  Perhaps where he is at his best is in service to his community, both at school and in the wider society.

Tarec has a passion for learning and he uses any knowledge gained to support others in their journey and achieve personal success. A former Clifton Hunter High School student, he was Class Monitor, Class Representative, Peer Mentor, Prefect, Head Boy and Executive Member of the Student Council Body, many hats which he wore proudly and respectfully.  He also was a member of the Key Club and the YMCA afterschool cooking programme as well as an Ambassador for the STEM Conference held at UCCI.

In his last year of high school, Tarec represented the Cayman Islands and his school at the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) held in Washington DC and New York where he was selected to serve as Vice Chair and was awarded a certificate of distinction for outstanding dedication to educational achievement, strength of character and leadership.  As a result of his leadership skills and accomplishments, he was chosen to be one of the delegates in the Asia Youth International Model United Nations held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tarec has also seen success in the kitchen and on the track.  He has competed for Clifton Hunter in track and field and cooking competitions, receiving numerous medals for his performance in both areas. He is the 2017 Bodden Town district cook off champion, the national youth cook off champion and winner of the Cayman Islands Upside Down Pineapple Cake competition.   In addition, as vice-captain for the academy track team at Clifton Hunter, he has received gold and silver medals at the Inter-secondary championship competition.

Tarec is currently the Director for the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly (CIYA), and a co-host for Youth Flex radio show.  He is also a member of the Toastmasters youth leadership programme and the youth culinary programme.

Volunteering is an important part of Tarec’s life too.  He has offered his time at several events around the island and in varying capacities.  These include helping out at the DG 5K Run/Walk and Turkey Trot; cooking at the Gimistory storytelling Festival; working at the Clifton Hunter High School uniform shop; volunteering at the Heroes Day celebration; cooking breakfast Girl Guides leaders; doing a cooking demonstration at Camana Bay; helping with a rock clean up in East End for the new racing track, and helping to release turtles back into the wild.

Tarec is presently a student at UCCI where he continues to give back to his school community as a member of the steel pan band, the choir, and the Student Council Body.