Two companies in Bermuda with very different businesses models have decided that talented students studying dance should be supported through scholarships.

 

Global reinsurer Renaissance Reinsurance Limited (RenRe) and local business Slam Dunks Mini Donuts have donated a total of $12,500 for full or partial scholarships for 12 talented Bermudian dance students.

Co-owners of Slam Dunks Mini Donuts, Alana Rogers and Alena Crockwell, have donated $5,000, their proceeds from the sale of mini donuts during this year's Annual Exhibition.

 

Recipients of Slam Dunks' scholarships are Anna Clifford, Jaesharrie Johnson, Chelsea Furtado and Samantha Hollis, who are participating in this summer's DanceBermuda programme offered by the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda in partnership with American Ballet Theatre.

The scholarship awarded to Jasmine DeBraga will support her tuition costs for dance classes taken throughout the year.

 

RenRe has given the National Dance Foundation $7,500 to meet full or partial tuition costs for seven dancers attending DanceBermuda . Students receiving a RenRe scholarship are: Chelsea Longworth , Melissa Spurling , Shakira Lister , Shaydrina Hassell , Shelby Rodrigues , Amber Clarke and Chelsea Smith .

 

DanceBermuda runs from August 7 - August 25 at the dance facilities of Bermuda High School . The programme culminates with two workshop performances on Friday, August 25 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

Photo by Charles Anderson

Renaissance girls: Seven young Bermudians will be attending the National Dance Foundation's summer intensive this year, thanks to scholarships donated by reinsurers Renaissance Re. Seen at the presentation ceremony are back row, left to right: Renaissnace Re Contributions Committee members Justin Friesenbruch, Lori Symonds, Talita Tucker, Maureen Nusum and Peter Durhager.  Front row: NDFB Development Officer Mary Faulkenberry, dance students Shakira Lister,Chelsea Smith, Melissa Spurling, and NDFB Programme Coordinator Shari-Lynn Pringle.  Missing are dance students Chelsea Longworth, Shaydrina Hassell, Shelby Rodrigues and Amber Clarke.

 

 

Photo by Evan Faulkenberry

In the dough: Five student dancers received scholarships enabling them to attend the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda's summer intensive programme, thanks to the generosity of Slam Dunks Mini Donuts.  Receiving their scholarships from Slam Dunks owner/operators Johnathan Rogers (left), Alena Crockwell (third left) and Alana Rogers (second from right) are (back row left to right) Jasmine DeBraga, Anna Clifford, and Jaesharrie Johnson and (kneeling left to right) Samantha Hollis and Chelsy Furtado.