Bermuda’s Premier and Cabinet Office provides sponsorship for local Academy to witness Inauguration
HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Cabinet Office of Bermuda will donate $3,500 to a CedarBridge Academy American History class heading to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, and Bermuda’s Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown is personally matching the donation bringing the total contribution to $7,000.
Premier Brown said: “History is such a crucial part of any young person’s education and these students will get to experience history in the making. That is a very rare opportunity. I’m happy to support this cause both personally and as a Government official.”
The request for financial support came to the Cabinet Office in mid-2008. A dialogue developed around a $7,000 sponsorship from the Cabinet Office based on the approximate cost of airfare to get the students to and from Washington. The Cabinet Office has financially supported school students on international field trips in the past.
When the need came to reduce departmental spending across Government, the $7,000 Cabinet Office donation was cut in half. The Premier decided he would make up the difference using personal funds.
CedarBridge Deputy Principal Anthony Wade, who organized the trip and will chaperone, said: “This trip will be money well spent. Bermuda in the near future will reap the benefits of having very productive young citizens due to this impressionable and formative experience.”
There are 12 S3 students expected to take the trip along with two teachers and Mr. Wade. They will participate in public Inauguration events as well as visit a long list of historic sights including: the White House, Capitol Building, the Smithsonian Institute and the Arlington National Cemetery. They will additionally be attending one of the unofficial inaugural balls sponsored by the Pink Roses Foundation.
When they return they will put together an electronic media project detailing their learning experiences. The traveling students will be required to use the media project as a teaching tool for fellow students.
The Premier has indicated he would also like to see the project the students create so he can appreciate what was learned.
Mr. Wade added that this will be an event of a lifetime for the students due to the historic nature of this election result and the nature of Presidential elections generally. He is thankful for the support of the Government and the Premier personally. He is also appreciative for the support of Principal Kalmar Richards for this initiative, and finally, the parents of the students.
