Gloria Simmons made herself a promise when she accepted a scholarship from the Devonshire Parish Council in 2020: one day she would use her education to give back to Bermuda.
Six years later, that promise is becoming a reality. Ms Simmons, 24, has been awarded a Stuart Hayward Internship with the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, giving her the opportunity to apply her scientific knowledge to protecting Bermuda’s natural environment.
For Ms Simmons, the journey began at Bermuda College, where she found both direction and confidence after being homeschooled for much of her childhood.
“I started my educational career at Bermuda College, which to me was a very useful and supportive resource,” she said.
“Previously, I was homeschooled for most of my life, and then, when I would have been starting high school, I started taking classes at Bermuda College.”
She began with preparatory courses before moving on to college-level classes, where her passion for science began to take shape.
“I always knew that I loved science, but I didn’t really know which science I wanted to pursue,” she said. “When I went to Bermuda College, I really loved chemistry.”
Ms Simmons graduated in 2020 with an Associate of Science degree before transferring her credits to Mount Allison University in Canada. She received financial support from the Devonshire Parish Council, something she describes as invaluable during an uncertain time.
“Obviously, 2020 was a very difficult time,” she said. “The tuition was pretty high in Canada, and it went up after I had already been accepted.”
She said the scholarship eased some of the financial pressure that many Bermudian students face when pursuing higher education overseas.
“Being a Bermudian and wanting an education is a hard place to be in because you have to leave the island,” she pondered.
“You can go to Bermuda College, but you can only go so far there. So, you have to leave the island, and that is a huge jump for somebody at 18 years old.”
Leaving home, she explained, is about much more than adjusting to a new campus.
“It’s extremely daunting, especially if you don’t have parents who are just going to do everything for you,” she said. “When you’re a full-time student, you can’t work full-time. When you’re moving to a new country, you can’t guarantee that you’re going to have a job or be able to find the time to work.”
She said those realities make scholarships and community support essential for many students.
“There are just so many things to consider, and money is a huge one,” Ms Simmons continues. “Having resources to support you through that, and kind of take something off your plate, is huge.”
Now, as she undertakes her internship with BEST, Ms Simmons has the chance to put her education into practice while helping address one of Bermuda’s most important challenges: building a more sustainable future.
The internship is a fitting next step for someone whose academic journey has been driven by a love of science and a desire to make a difference at home.
At the time of going to press, Ms Simmons was working on a project involving the creation an integrated water management plan in Bermuda. She teamed up with water management specialist Tarik Smith to compile data and assess the logistics of building this system.
The passion in her voice when she speaks about this topic is endearing, as she wears her concern for the well-being and health of her fellow Bermudians over her heart like a shiny gold medal.
As far as sustainability goes, Bermuda is in good hands with Gloria Simmons.
Her story is yet another testament to the value of investing in young Bermudians. The support she received from Bermuda College and the Devonshire Parish Council helped open doors that may otherwise have remained closed, allowing her to gain the knowledge and experience she can now bring back to the island.
Although she does confess that the field of environmental engineering almost compels scientists to leave Bermuda – as there isn’t enough work to sustain them here – she is as committed to improving our situation as much as she can while she is here.
Wherever she does roam, she will inevitably make us proud.
