In a continued push to invest in Saint Lucia’s next generation of leaders, Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) has awarded two full, multi-year undergraduate scholarships to exceptional local students, marking the second cycle of its impact-driven youth education initiative.
The formal award ceremony took place on August 7, where the 2026 scholarships were presented to recipients Shyne Savory and Rhea Barrett, who will pursue their higher education at accredited post-secondary institutions in North America. Savory will enroll at Bishop’s University in Canada, where she will major in Arts Administration with a concentration in Drama and a minor in Marketing. Barrett, meanwhile, will move to the United States to attend Florida State University, working toward a degree in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience.
Unlike partial scholarships that only cover a portion of study costs, SLCP’s full award covers all core academic and living expenses for up to four years of undergraduate study. This comprehensive package includes tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, course materials, meal plans, and round-trip airfare between Saint Lucia and the student’s host country. Eligible study destinations include accredited universities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and all campuses of the University of the West Indies, giving recipients flexibility to choose programs that align with their career goals.
Launched in 2025, the scholarship program supported four inaugural students pursuing degrees in engineering and medicine in its first year. For the 2026 selection cycle, SLCP adjusted its focus to intentionally support both STEM and non-STEM academic pathways that align with Saint Lucia’s long-term workforce development and national economic priorities.
A total of 93 qualified local students submitted applications for the 2026 awards, all demonstrating strong academic track records, active community engagement, and diverse personal and professional interests. To streamline the selection process, SLCP implemented a new centralized online application system that manages submissions and completes an initial automated screening of eligibility criteria. After the first round, an independent scholarship committee reviewed shortlisted applications through a blind review process, removing applicants’ names to reduce implicit bias. Committee members evaluated candidates based on three core criteria: past academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and alignment of the applicant’s chosen field with national development priorities.
Speaking at the award presentation, Bernice Marcellin, Director of the Human Resource Development Unit within Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, emphasized the critical role of targeted investment in education to build a skilled, diverse professional workforce that drives inclusive national growth. John Paul Estephane, Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Commerce, also praised the initiative, highlighting how private sector entities can complement government efforts to empower young people and advance national development goals.
Lancelot Arnold, Director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and General Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, noted that the scholarship program is a core reflection of SLCP’s long-standing organizational commitment to investing in people. Arnold added that the inaugural cohort of 2025 scholars is already performing strongly in their programs, and that SLCP remains committed to providing ongoing support to all recipients throughout their academic journeys and as they transition into professional careers.
With the addition of Savory and Barrett to the growing cohort of SLCP scholars, the organization has reaffirmed its commitment to continued investment in Saint Lucia’s youth, with a goal of nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders across both STEM and creative, arts-focused fields.