GEORGE TOWN, EXUMA, BAHAMAS – Local non-profit organization Friends of Exuma is advancing long-term community growth through a $20,000 investment in youth education, splitting the total donation between two scholarship programs: one at Exuma Christian Academy and a second contribution to the Nelson A. Ranger Scholarship Fund. The funding is designed to remove financial barriers that prevent high-achieving, motivated young students from accessing post-secondary education, opening doors for them to develop their skills and achieve their long-term career goals.
Unlike one-off tuition support, these scholarships create a sustainable pipeline for local talent to grow into the next generation of Exuma’s leaders. For a small island community where the full cost of college and university study falls almost entirely on household budgets, this targeted financial support turns vague ambitions of higher education into concrete, actionable plans. Recipients gain the resources to pursue degrees in high-demand fields, with a shared commitment to bringing their skills and experience back to strengthen their home communities.
“Exuma is full of extraordinary young people whose talent, grit, and character push all of us to do better,” shared Bob Coughlin, President of Friends of Exuma. “These scholarships are not just gifts to individual students – they are an investment in the potential of our entire island. When we lift up our young people, we invest in the future of Exuma itself.”
During Exuma Christian Academy’s 2026 commencement ceremony, four graduating seniors received the first round of grants from the non-profit’s contribution, each with distinct career paths and a shared commitment to returning to The Bahamas after completing their studies. The first recipient, 16-year-old Jaylen McKenzie, will move to London to study law, with plans to come back to The Bahamas as a corporate attorney and eventually launch her own scholarship for local students. Stanley Pitt will attend the University of The Bahamas to pursue dual degrees in engineering and medicine. Head boy Winston Barr will study management and aeronautics to train as a commercial pilot, and Jeremy Clarke also plans to pursue a career as a professional pilot.
Founded by veteran educator Keniqua Burrows, Exuma Christian Academy started as a small vision centered on faith and academic excellence, and has grown into a thriving K-12 institution serving more than 100 students across Exuma. The school has built a strong regional reputation for its focus on academic achievement, intentional leadership development, and fostering a campus culture where students are empowered to pursue success across every area of their lives.
Burrows emphasized that the relationship between her school and Friends of Exuma goes far beyond financial support, calling the non-profit a genuine collaborative partner. “For many of our local families, economic times are tight right now, and covering the extra costs of higher education – from accommodation to travel flights to the one-time startup fees of moving for university – can feel impossible,” Burrows explained. “Every dollar of this funding makes a huge difference. Friends of Exuma has stood by our school for years, and we’re excited to grow this partnership for many more years to come.”
For scholarship recipient Winston Barr, the grant has been a life-changing support for both him and his family. After completing his management degree, Barr will begin pilot training, a future that was out of reach without the scholarship’s assistance. “There are no words to capture how grateful I am. This organization turned a long-held dream into a reality,” Barr said. “It takes an enormous weight off my parents’ shoulders, and I’m committed to giving back to my community and my country as I move forward.”
The second portion of the $20,000 donation will go to the Nelson A. Ranger Scholarship Fund, an organization founded by Nelson Ranger, who received scholarship support as a young student and has dedicated his career to paying that opportunity forward. For years, the fund has supported students across Exuma pursuing both college degrees and technical vocational training, while also celebrating academic excellence across the island through its programming.
Ranger noted that he understands first-hand how a single educational opportunity can reshape a young person’s entire life trajectory. “Every scholarship we award is more than financial support – it’s an investment in a young person’s dream, and a reminder that the entire community is rooting for them,” Ranger said. “I’m so grateful to Friends of Exuma for partnering with us to keep this critical work going.”
Coughlin reaffirmed that the grant aligns with Friends of Exuma’s core mission: investing in education creates shared prosperity for every member of the Exuma community. “By partnering with trusted local organizations that already know the needs of our young people, we can advance our goal of strengthening the people, programs, and places that make Exuma such an extraordinary place to live,” he added.
For community members interested in learning more about Friends of Exuma’s work across youth development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation across Great Exuma, more information is available on the organization’s official website at exumafriends.org, as well as its Facebook and Instagram social media channels.