We are pleased to announce twenty-three year old Calvin Choco as our 2011-2013 Electrical Engineering scholarship recipient. Mr. Choco will obtain his first degree from Pen Foster’s Career School, where he will undergo training in the categories and classifications of electricity, conduit fittings and supports, residential, commercial as well as industrial electrical installation, heating and lighting practices, and conductor properties.

Mr. Choco, from Toledo’s quaint village of San Miguel, is currently an employee of Ka’ana’s Maintenance Department and has already obtained his first certificate from the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET). He has also been approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under the Belize Electricity Act to hold his wire-man’s license. As Mr. Choco recanted his elation when he first received the news of being Ka’ana’s second scholarship recipient, he noted that he is anxious to learn the necessary skills needed to operate and “fix the modern gadgets of our new technologically advanced world”. Congratulations Calvin!

In keeping with its mission of promoting tourism development in Belize, Ka’ana Boutique Resort was pleased to make a contribution in the education sector by awarding a full scholarship to Galen University.

Following a rigorous three-part application process, three finalists were selected to enter the final round. This final testing phase consisted of a series of challenges over a 24-hour period at Ka’ana Boutique Resort. The challenges ranged from management skills, food and beverage preparation, to academic knowledge. These were designed to test the finalists’ ability to maintain a high standard of service under demanding conditions, to make good judgment calls under pressure, and to be creative and spontaneous, which are just some of the skills it takes to succeed in the hospitality business.

The finalists were evaluated on a point system with a total possible score of 400 points. With only two and a half points separating the top two competitors, Flora Pereira was awarded the Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management scholarship. All three ladies did an exceptional job throughout the course of this challenging experience and we can expect that they will be making big strides in Belize’s tourism industry.

The full scholarship, a value of BZ$16,760.00, will cover tuition, fees, and books over a two year period. Flora Pereira will be required to maintain a high level of academic standard while enrolled in the Bachelor’s programme as well as complete an internship at Ka’ana Boutique Resort during the two years. This scholarship will enable Flora to be the first of her family to pursue a graduate degree.

“It is a fundamental principle of Ka’ana’s mission statement to assist in and dedicate time and resources to outreach programs and to foster mutual respect for all those “touched” by the Ka’ana brand while working for the greater good of tourism development in Belize”.