Shian Wellington-O’Connor Awarded 2nd Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship

Shian Wellington-O’Connor with Rhonda Kelly, Founder of Foundation & APF Chairperson, Jane Panton

The Alex Panton Foundation is proud to announce Shian Wellington-O’Connor as the 2025 recipient of the Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship, created in memory of Caymanian Addison Kelly, a bright and compassionate 16-year-old Caymanian who tragically lost her life to mental illness. 

The scholarship, awarded every two years, supports Caymanian students pursuing higher education in mental health fields. From a strong pool of four exceptional finalists, Shian stood out for his commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impact in the Cayman Islands’ mental health space.

Shian is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University in Canada. His long-term vision is both inspiring and urgently needed: to become a licensed counselling psychologist dedicated to serving underserved populations, especially youth, men, and those grappling with trauma, anxiety, and substance use challenges.

“My journey through uncertainty and limited options has shown me how deeply our sense of purpose impacts our mental health,” Shian shared in his application. “I want to help others find direction, confidence, and fulfillment in their careers and lives.”

“To me, the Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship acknowledges the unseen, the inner responsibility to grow, to lead with service and to hold space for others in moments and ways they haven’t yet learned to hold for themselves,” said Shian in response to being awarded the scholarship. 

“This is exactly what Addi would have wanted: to see more Caymanians and others like her entering the mental health field, a career she dreamed of pursuing so she could help people facing the same struggles she once did,” said her mother, Rhonda Kelly, founder of the scholarship and board member of the Alex Panton Foundation. “By supporting and inspiring the next generation of mental health professionals, we are keeping her dream alive and creating the change she so genuinely wished to see.”

The Alex Panton Foundation remains dedicated to continuing Addison’s legacy and supporting Cayman’s next generation of mental health professionals. Shian Wellington-O’Connor embodies that spirit, and we are honoured to support his journey.

For more information about the Addison Kelly Mental Health Education Fund, please visit:
https://alexpantonfoundation.ky/addison-kelly-mental-health-education-fund