Aug. 3, 2005 – St. Thomas resident Vijay Mohanani is among the 44 students from across the Caribbean who won a scholarship from the Caribbean Hotel Foundation. He said the scholarship is worth about $3,000.
Mohanani, 19, graduated in June from All Saints Cathedral School. He is off to Johnson and Wales University in August to study food and beverage management the first two years, and international hotel and tourism management the second two years.
"I can't wait," he said Wednesday.
He now works as a line cook at Bolongo Beach House but spent time at Frank's Bakery, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort and Room with a View.
He said he plans to return home every summer to work at the island's restaurants. After graduation, he hopes to find jobs in destinations like Hong Kong, before deciding whether or not he wants to return to the Virgin Islands for good.
He said he likes the food and beverage business.
"You get to travel, and you can go anywhere in the world and get a job," he said.
He is the son of Vinnie and Minerva Mohanani of St. Thomas.
"I'm extremely proud. I can get to sleep at night knowing he's responsible, well-behaved and mature," Vinnie Mohanani said, adding that the scholarship is a big help.
He said the Virgin Islands Hotel Association was particularly helpful in locating possible scholarships.
The Caribbean Hotel Foundation scholarships go to Caribbean students and professionals who work in the hotel and tourism sector. This year the organization gave out a total of $126,000 worth of scholarships to people from 16 Caribbean destinations, four more than in 2004.
This year the association doubled the number of scholarships given out thanks to contributions from Virgin Holidays, Interval International, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, Royal Caribbean International, and Carnival Cruise Lines. Additionally, the foundation arm of the organization raised $85,000 through live and silent auctions and a benefit golf tournament held at the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference held in Miami in June.
"The goal of the foundation is to contribute to the professional development of the Caribbean workforce, thus playing a part in the long-term improvement of the Caribbean tourism industry's standards and overall product," foundation coordinator Gill Titcombe said in a news release.
The Caribbean Hotel Association established the foundation in 1987. Since then, it has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry and have the potential for future success
Scholarships are available for full- and part-time students in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Applications for 2006 scholarships will be available in November.
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