Wyndham Margaritaville Grants UVI Scholarships Totaling $20,000

Two University of the Virgin Islands students are closer to their dream careers in tourism and hospitality thanks to scholarships from the Wyndham Vacation Ownership Club, UVI announced via press release this afternoon.

 Wyndham, which recently opened its newest resort, Margaritaville, on the east end of St. Thomas donated two $10,000 scholarships to two UVI students this Fall.  The students are Kishnell George and Tyler Hendrickson.  Both students major in UVI’s Hospitality and Tourism Management academic major.

“These students have shown exemplary work in their efforts to graduate with a degree in hospitality,” said Sarah King, executive vice president of Human Resources for Wyndham.

For George, the scholarship brings her closer to her dream of opening a restaurant on St. Thomas. She has a passion for the culinary arts and plans to travel the world to learn more about international cuisine.

Hendrickson, a freshman hospitality major, said the scholarship will help meet her financial challenges.

“I will use this scholarship to assist me with paying for my degree.  It will also help me buy schools materials such as books and a laptop,” she said.

Along with a financial boost, the scholarship further ignites Hendrickson’s passion for a career in resort management.

“My passion for resort management began when I was a little girl,” Hendrickson said. “My mother worked at the Westin Resort and she carried me to work with her when I was little. My love for working in a resort grew as I got older.”

Bryan Dixon, director of Resort Operations for the Caribbean Region, said Wyndham is also continuing their paid summer internship program for two UVI students, studying in the field of business or hospitality.

“The internship program gives students the opportunity to learn first-hand what it’s like to work for Wyndham, the world’s largest vacation ownership company,” Dixon said.

Dixon said the resort has already hired two UVI interns as full-time associates.

“The interns have been wonderful.  We’re happy to have them in our Wyndham family,” Dixon said.

This is the third consecutive year UVI students have received a Wyndham Vacation Ownership Club scholarship.