thebahamasweekly.com - Anna Albury of Hope Town School, Abaco defies the odds and captures the 2011 National Primary School Student of the Year

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

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Anna Albury of Hope Town School, Abaco defies the odds and captures the 2011 National Primary School Student of the Year
By Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation
May 25, 2011 - 11:14:44 AM

The Board of Directors of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation and the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council in conjunction with the Distinguished Panel of Judges are pleased to announce that an excellent scholar, a multi-talented child and a student who possesses a terrific outlook on everything in life has been selected as the 2011 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year. The 2011 Student of the Year is absolutely amazing Anna Albury, a 12 year old blind student at Hope Town Primary School, Hope Town, Abaco. Anna maintains an accumulative grade point average of 3.80. Anna handles her blindness as just another facet of her outstanding personality that makes up this charming little student.

Mrs. Candace Key, Principal at Hope Town Primary School describes our 2011 Student of the Year as a “gifted young lady who has gained the respect of her classmates early on by demonstrating her disciplined manner during school and her pleasant demeanor on campus in student activities and relationships.”

The fact that Anna is blind, encouraged her parents and school officials to be adamant that she be main-streamed and not sent to the School for the Blind. Anna has never been treated differently by her peers or teachers. She is enthusiastic, has an infectious sense of humour and has never allowed her handicap to hold her back.

Anna was second runner-up in the Abaco District Spelling Bee competition in 2009; second place in the Rotary Club of Abaco Speech Competition; and Top Academic Achiever in Grades 4, 5, and 6. When Anna was eight years old, she competed for the first time in the annual Abaco Inter-school Swimming Competition. When she stepped to the edge of the pool, many whispered “that’s the blind girl! They are letting the blind girl swim!” When Anna jumped in

the pool, several hundred people started cheering her on. Even her parents had never seen her swim 25 meters. There wasn’t a dry eye “in the house”. What a testament to dedication against all odds. Anna continues to swim as a member of the Hope Town School Swim Team and her presence has given a whole new meaning to competition.

During the 2011 Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Competition held on Saturday, May 21^st, 2011 at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries, Anna beat out 115 of the BEST and BRIGHTEST minds in the primary schools in The Bahamas to capture the top award. She was awarded a $6,000.00 scholarship donated by Bahamas Office and School Supplies (BOSS) and a new laptop computer donated by Jonathan and Michelle Ford.

Anna who serves as Head Girl at Hope Town Primary, plays the piano, sings in the church, dances, and assists by visiting the elderly in the community. Anna is the daughter of George and Theresa Albury.