Each year, the Caribbean Bottling Company (Bahamas) Ltd. selects one exceptionally hardworking primary school student to receive the Carleton W. Williams Scholarship. The six year award, which allows the recipient to pursue their studies at the domestic high school of their choice, has allowed eight other talented, young Bahamian students to continue their education. The Carleton Williams Scholarship Committee always faces the extremely difficult task of choosing just one recipient, but after a long deliberation about the talented and bright group of sixth graders, Leonardo Sands was chosen to receive a full, 6-year scholarship to Nassau Christian Schools.

After narrowing down the applicants and meeting the finalists, the scholarship committee chose Leonardo as the recipient because of his stellar grades, glowing recommendations, extracurricular interest in soccer, S.C.M, and outreach, as well as his socially conscious and community-driven mindset.

“We were once again delighted to interview such brilliant and ambitious candidates” noted Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Brand Manager at CBC. “Choosing just one scholarship winner is a tremendous and difficult task. After much deliberation, I am ecstatic to award this scholarship opportunity to Leonardo and look forward to the wonderful things he will go on to accomplish”.

The 11 year old currently attends the Garvin Tynes Primary School, where he has consistently maintained an “A” average. He dreams of one day becoming a graphic designer and entrepreneur.
When father, Stephen Sands, got the good news, he was overwhelmed with joy. He gleefully exclaimed, “Thank you Lord! We are so grateful. Thank you Jesus.”

Each year, the scholarship review panel alternates between selecting a student from the Garvin Tynes Primary School in New Providence and a student from Grand Bahama. Leonardo will join last year’s winner, Maliyah Edgecombe, 2020 recipient Angela Sands, 2019 recipient Gabriel Hall, 2018 recipients Kennedi Knowles and Anajah Culmer, 2017 recipient Kailena Pinder, and 2016 scholarship winners, D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp. The first recipients of the program, twin brothers D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp graduated from Aquinas College with honors this year.

The scholarship, which was started in 2016, was named after the previous owner and Chairman of the Caribbean Bottling Company, Carleton W. Williams. Not only was Williams a leader and pioneer in the Bahamian business community, he also actively supported the efforts of a number of local charities as a donor and board member, and was committed to nurturing the growth and development of young Bahamians, through education. His dedication to community, culture, youth and the advancement of the Bahamian business community earned him awards from the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire awarded by Her Majesty the Queen of England, Businessman of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce, the Paul Harris Fellow from The Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army Others Award.

Williams passed away in February 2021, but his legacy has lived on in the young scholars who have received the annual scholarship to continue their education, at the high school of their choice. Despite a challenging few years, and navigating a new educational experience in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maliyah, Angela, Gabriel, Kennedi, Anajah, Kailena, D’ron and T’ron have continued to excel academically and personally.