Rotary Sunset has recognised three other community members for contributions to health, education and the automotive sector.
In observance of Vocational Service Month this January, Rotary Sunset presented its 2025 Award for Vocational Excellence to veteran teacher Caris Bramwell.
At its fortnightly meeting on Wednesday 22 January, the club also recognised three other community members for contributions to health, education and the automotive sector.
A retired educator, Ms Bramwell has over 40 years experience teaching in Jamaica and Grand Cayman, mainly at the primary school level.
For decades she has made significant contributions to her community through various extra-curricular programmes, particularly those aimed at supporting children outside the school environment.
She has been deeply involved in shaping young lives through roles in: the Girl Guides, the National Children’s Festival of the Arts, and netball training. Having previously worked with the Youth For Christ Organisation, she has served for the last seven years as the National Coordinator for the Child Evangelism Fellowship in the Cayman Islands.
Also nominated were: dentist, Dr Keelin Fox; specialist teacher for the hearing impaired, Linda Brown; and businessman Mark Anthony Demercado.
In 2014 Dr Fox, who had moved to the Cayman Islands from Ireland the year before, rallied her dental colleagues to support April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the local community and offer free mouth cancer screenings.
Throughout Dr Fox championed the cause tirelessly, writing articles, making radio appearances and donating countless hours screening community members in her clinic and at public events.
Ms Brown has 36 years of experience as a teacher, including 20 in the Cayman Islands teaching at schools such as Faulkner Academy, Grace Christian Academy, Hope Academy and St Ignatius High School. She currently works at the Department of Education Services where she specializes in supporting students with hearing impairments.
Her dedication extends far beyond her professional responsibilities. She actively collaborates with classroom teachers and parents, ensuring that students receive the support they need both in the classroom and in their social lives. Ms Brown also volunteers with numerous organisations.
Mr DeMercado is the C.E.O. of Superior Auto a leading automotive service provider in the Cayman Islands. Already the owner of a successful garage in Jamaica, Mr Demercado moved to the Cayman Islands in 1990. Some years later he opened Superior Auto as the Islands’ first mobile automotive repair business, eventually turning it into a comprehensive garage facility.
The company also serves as an Apprenticeship Training Centre, providing Level 2 Automotive Certification to young Caymanians. Over 50 persons have passed through the programme in the last 15 years.
Rotary Sunset President Patrick Schmid commented: “the vocational excellence award recognise persons who exemplify professional achievement and high ethical standards. Our winner and nominees exemplify these qualities in a way that is both aspirational and inspirational. We thank them for their service.”