The Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award (JCA) has received a record-number 26 application forms while five application forms were received for the Joanna Clarke Scholarship reports the committee set up by Cayman Islands-based business conglomerate, dms Organization Ltd. (DMS) The 2012 applicants vary from literacy programmes, after-school programmes, book clubs, special school equipment requests, music programmes, not-for-profit organisations and environmental, technology and media programmes.

Vice President of People Development at DMS, Krista Pell commented that though the Cayman Islands’ education system is strong, DMS is pleased to support it in this way and encouraged the private sector to support it more.

“At DMS we are committed to giving back to our community through various donations, sponsorships and volunteer efforts, and in particular, educating our future,” she said. “We are delighted by the responses from the schools and organisations; it’s wonderful to see so many worthy applicants making a concerted effort to promote education in Cayman. The selection process closed on April 1^st and the committee certainly has a tough job ahead of them in narrowing down to five finalists.”

The selection process began with an island-wide call through the local media to inform the public of the availability of funds and to instruct the public on how to apply. During April the committee will review all applications. The award applications will be narrowed down to five projects and those applicants will be invited to an interview with the committee to present their initiative. After carefully reviewing all applications submitted against the set criteria, the committee will announce the winner. If several worthy projects are identified, they may provide grants to multiple organisations totaling up to $12,000 KYD.

Board member and Patron of the award and scholarship, Ms. Joanna Clarke commended DMS for their endeavours.

“They have set a new benchmark for corporate responsibility. I am truly touched and honoured to have been selected as the namesake for this award. My purpose is, and always will be to enhance the education of Cayman’s children as they are our future citizens,” she said.

The JCA Committee consists of patron Ms. Joanna Clarke; Literacy Education Specialist, Tanya Marie Samuels; Project Management Professional at DMS, Tara Tvedt-Pearson; Senior Policy Advisor within the Ministry of Education, Julie Madgwick; Vice President of People Development at DMS, Krista Pell; Information and Communication Technology education professional, Mark Ray; Attorney, Winston Connolly Jr. and 2011 JCA recipient Pamela Webster. 

The awards ceremony will be held on May 12^th at 6 p.m. at Grand Old House.  All five finalists will have an opportunity to display their initiatives at educational booths.  The awards night will also include a silent auction.  For more information on the awards night, persons are invited to contact Tara Tvedt-Pearson at  HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] or 943-7665.

The JCA and the Joanna Clarke Scholarship are separate awards. The JCA was created by dms Organzation Ltd. (DMS) in 2007 to honour local educator, Ms. Joanna Clarke and to recognise the efforts of all persons and organisations that contribute to education in the Cayman Islands. Through the JCA, DMS grants up to $12,000 KYD annually to worthy education initiatives. In 2010 Krishan Welcome became the first recipient of the separate Joanna Clarke Scholarship. Ms. Welcome received $2,500 to assist her educational pursuit as a teacher. For more details about the Joanna Clarke Awards visit www.joannaclarkeaward.ky.