Aug. 9, 2007 – Three young St. John residents received scholarships worth $1,000 each from the St. John Yacht Club at a ceremony Tuesday at Pastory Gardens.
The scholarships were awarded to Sarah Swan, Mimi Roller and Alex Coyle.
Commodore Gerry Hills said that while the students can use the money to pay college expenses, they can also use it for training and travel related to their sailing careers.
"We call it a scholarship, but we expect them to use it wisely," Hills said.
Hills said that Swan is a junior at Eckerd College in Florida, where she's a member of the sailing team.
"She went through KATS and continues to be an outstanding sailor," Hills said, referring to the St. John Kids and the Sea program. KATS has been promoting safe boating and teaching nautical skills to kids for nearly 20 years.
Hills said Swan will serve as a coach when she returns to college.
"She's a perfect example of how KATS keeps reaching out," he said.
A student at the Antilles School, Roller recently tied for first place at the U.S. National Championships in the Laser division, beating out about 52 girls for the honor.
Coyle was the third scholarship recipient. Hills said he's a top Optimist sailor.
Only Swan attended the ceremony because the others were off island. She could not be reached for comment because she left the island Wednesday.
Hills said yacht club members select scholarship recipients they feel are making a name in the sailing world. The money comes from members' dues.
Hills said the yacht club, a non-profit social organization, awards scholarships most, but not all, years.
