**Jody Christina Wells**

The Bahamas Financial Services Board recently announced the names of the three finalists for the annual Financial Services Student of the Year award.

One of these is **Jody Wells**, who is about to leave for the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England where she will pursue a Bachelor of Law Degree. Thereafter, she intends to complete Bar School and become a Barrister-At-Law. Further studies will include a Master of Law Degree.

Jody attended St. Anne’s High School, where she was active in the Girl Guides’ Association, the School Choir, The Interact Club, the Key Club, the Spanish Club, the Governor General’s Youth Award, and the Investment Club. While at St. Anne’s School she also participated in various Academic Competitions, such as Inter-House Spelling and It’s Academic. Jody was selected as Senior Prefect while she was in grade 12. During that year she also served as President of Rangers, which is a branch of the Girl Guides’ Association. She graduated in June 2004 and obtained the William Thompson Valedictorian Award and various subject prizes. Other achievements include: the St. Anne’s School Godfrey Minnis Award for the Best BGCSE Results for St. Anne’s School, Honour Roll student from grades 7 – 12 and Outstanding Bahamian Student from grades 10 – 12.

A student at the College of The Bahamas from August 2004 to April 2006, Jody obtained her AA in Law and Criminal Justice. She was a member of the Law Society for two years. In her second year at the college, she was on the Student Union Board, and also served as the Senator of the School of Social Sciences. Jody made the President’s List for her two years at the College of The Bahamas. In May 2006, she graduated from the College of The Bahamas with an Associate of Arts Degree in Law and Criminal Justice with Distinction. She also received the Law And Criminal Justice Award.

Summer employment while at the COB included stints with Pyfrom & Co. law firm and later with McKinney, Bancroft, & Hughes. Her employers describe her as *“having a positive attitude, completing her assigned tasks efficiently”,* and with *”excellent punctuality and attendance records.”*

Other finalists for the annual Financial Services Student of the Year Award are **Aisha Melvina Johnson, BBA-Banking & Finance**; and **Candace P. Rolle: BBA – Accounting**.

The student award is sponsored in collaboration with the College of the Bahamas, the Professional Industry Association Working Group and the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The focus is on disciplines such as economics, banking and finance, law, accountancy, and computer information systems.

The winner of the 2006 Award will be announced at the Financial Services Awards Banquet on October 21. Also to be announced at the Banquet are the Industry Awards, including the 2006 Executive of the Year, Professional of the Year, and Achiever of the Year. The Hon. Vincent Peet, Minister of Financial Services and Investments will present the 2006 “Minister’s Award” recognising “stellar performance” within the industry.