The Tribune

Agricultural and environmental development cooperative society

The third annual STEM High School Exploration Day has concluded with resounding success, leaving a tangible result for the AGENDEVCO Cooperative on the students and the Grand Bahama community. Hosted on Friday, February 7, at the Rand Nature Centre in Grand Bahama, the event brought together 100 senior high school students specialising in agricultural, marine, and environmental sciences for an unforgettable day of inspiration and engagement.

The programme featured dynamic presentations and interactive sessions led by an impressive lineup of organisations and institutions, including:

• Ministry of Grand Bahama

• Bahamas National Trust (BNT)

• Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)

• The Island School’s Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI)

• University of The Bahamas, Northern Campus (UB North)

• Department of Agriculture (DoA)

• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

• Coral Vita

• Waterkeepers Bahamas

• Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization (BMMRO)

• Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI)

These esteemed partners delivered engaging presentations and showcased the incredible STEM work being done both locally and globally. Students gained valuable insights into STEM careers and learned about educational pathways and scholarship opportunities available to them.

The STEM Quiz Bowl, a highlight of the event, once again captivated the audience with its spirited competition. This year’s winners were:

1st Place:  Jordan Weir - St Paul’s Methodist College (Teacher: J Ingraham)

2nd Place:  Tyelor Grant - Eight Mile Rock High School (Teacher: Oprah Hepburn)

3rd Place:  Amare Bullard - St George’s High School (Teacher: Patricia Parker)

The winning teams demonstrated remarkable knowledge and enthusiasm, reflecting the success of the event’s mission to spark a passion for STEM in Bahamian youth. A heartfelt thanks to the Bahamas National Trust for their generous in-kind donation of the Rand Nature Center’s training facilities, event sponsor Caribbean Bottling Company, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture for their continued co-hosting of the event and invaluable contributions. We also extend our gratitude to all participating organisations for their support and efforts.

For more information about STEM High School Exploration Day and future events, please contact agendevcobahamas@gmail.com.

Administrative assistants conference

Get ready to elevate your professional skills at the highly anticipated Administrative Assistants Conference, scheduled for Thursday, March 27, from 12.30pm-4.30pm at the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. This transformative event will be led by the renowned Spence Finlayson, an international conference leader, motivational speaker, and award-winning talk show host of “Immediate Response.”

With a wealth of experience conducting seminars in over 20 countries, Finlayson is a sought-after speaker known for his engaging and impactful presentations. Attendees will benefit from his expertise, gaining valuable insights and practical skills to enhance their careers as administrative professionals.

Registration  includes a delicious lunch, comprehensive training materials, and an internationally recognised certificate of completion. This is a unique opportunity to invest in your professional development while networking with peers in the industry.

To secure your spot, email phoenixinstitute@gmail.com. 

BAARK!

The countdown is on for the 12th Annual Baark! Powerade Potcakeman Triathlon, set to take place on Sunday, March 30, at Jaws Beach. This highly anticipated event will bring together athletes of all levels for a thrilling day of swimming, cycling and running in support of a great cause.

Over the years, this fun-filled family event has become a staple and much-anticipated highlight on The Bahamas’ annual event calendar. Baark! is delighted to have Powerade as their presenting sponsor for this event for the 11th consecutive year.

Jonathan Thronebury, director of marketing, Caribbean Bottling Company, added “we are excited to reaffirm our role as the presenting sponsor of the Baark! Powerade Potcakeman Triathlon. Baark’s focus on community health and wellness — promoting education and the well-being of both animals and individuals — perfectly aligns with our values. Through our Powerade brand, which champions active lifestyles, we are proud to support this fundraiser by providing premium hydration solutions for athletes and spectators alike.”

The sprint-distance triathlon will challenge participants with a 750m swim, a 12-mile bike ride finishing with a 5K run. Athletes can take on the full triathlon solo or team up with friends and family to compete as a relay team. For younger competitors, the event also offers the FYP Puppy Tri, featuring shorter distances tailored to juniors and kids.

All finishers will be rewarded with a custom-designed medal and adult participants can look forward to a refreshing Surfside drink, along with a delicious burger or hot dog courtesy of the Rotary East’s famous burger van. Young athletes will be treated to a special post-race treat from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Baark! is also thankful to the other sponsors who help make this event possible. Our Leaders of the Pack sponsors include Tile King, Modernistic, Think Simple, and CBS. Purina Friskies is sponsoring the swim caps, while our race crew is once again supported by Bahamas Sotheby’s. The exclusive race bag is sponsored by JS Johnson.

Our Top Dog sponsors include Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Corner Bank, Jane Iredale, Albany, and Scotia Wealth Management. Morley Realty is a Best Friend sponsor, and King & Co. are Loyal Companions.

The Baark! Powerade Potcakeman Triathlon is a major fundraiser for Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness), with proceeds supporting the organization’s spay/neuter and education programs throughout the country.

Registration and full event details are available at www.potcakeman.com. Don’t miss the chance to test your endurance, have fun and make a difference for animals in need.

Carmichael Urban Renewal Future Fun Learning Hub Youth Club

In an inspiring collaboration aimed at fostering community development, Fourth Terrace Diagnostic Centre is thrilled to announce its partnership with The Carmichael Urban Renewal Future Fun Learning Hub Youth Club. This initiative, which serves approximately two hundred children, highlights the importance of education and skill-building in creating a vibrant, empowered community.

At the heart of this partnership is the Community Empowerment Programme, dedicated to breaking down barriers to education and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. This program not only aims to assist unemployed individuals in pursuing tertiary education but also supports community members in attaining their high school diplomas. Furthermore, special attention is given to single parents, acknowledging their unique challenges and providing essential resources to help them succeed.

The Carmichael Urban Renewal Centre further enriches its community-focused services by facilitating a Senior’s Association Programme. Serving people aged sixty-five and above, this program is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens, particularly those living alone or with disabilities. Through care package distributions and addressing daily needs, the programme demonstrates a profound commitment to the health and well-being of our elder community members.

Future fun learning hub youth club

Fourth Terrace Diagnostic Centre is proud to sponsor a College Road Trip in November 2025 for 20 senior students from the Future Fun Learning Hub Youth Club. This transformative opportunity is designed to expose young minds to higher education institutions, allowing them to engage with academic professionals and explore potential career pathways. By facilitating this trip, Fourth Terrace aims to inspire and motivate these students to envision their futures beyond high school.

Rotaract Club of East Nassau

The Rotaract Club of East Nassau, sponsored by Eden Well and the Rotary Club of East Nassau, is set to host its 13th Annual Entrepreneurship Panel on Friday, March 7, at 6.30pm at Le Château on East Bay Street. This highly anticipated event will bring together industry leaders, startup founders, and business innovators to share their expertise, insights, and success stories with aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals.

Attendees can expect a keynote address by Rexy Rolle, president/CEO and general counsel of Western Air Bahamas, and engaging panel discussion on key topics such as business growth strategies, overcoming challenges, and seizing opportunities in today’s ever-evolving economy featuring panelists such as Carlos Palacious (Founder and Managing Principal of Bron Ltd.), Brianna Eccleston (CEO and Founder of Eden Wells), Chef Wayne Moncur (CEO of Mudda Freeze and Sun & Ice), Elsada Hield (CEO of Natural Glow), DJ iGnite (Sound Architect & Creative Strategist), Blayre Catalyn and Camille Cartwright (Co-Owners of Benz Bodies) and Justin Bootle (Multi-Business Owner of Ticket Flare, Picture Perfect Bahamas, NDO Films, Party Master Rentals & Hide Bahamas). There will be an interactive Q&A session allowing guests to gain valuable knowledge and advice directly from experienced entrepreneurs. 

In addition to the insightful discussions, the evening will include a networking cocktail hour, exciting raffles, awarding a small business grant and a corporate soirée providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals in a relaxed setting. All proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the club’s community service initiatives, furthering its mission of making a positive impact through service, leadership, and professional development.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply interested in the world of entrepreneurship, this panel promises to be both insightful and inspiring. Admission to the event is free, but space is limited. Interested individuals must reserve their spot by visiting https://ticketflare.com/events/rcenfromvision2reality.