This past December Ms Dodie Ebanks, who had become something of an institution here at Cayman International School, retired (though she still fills in for us as needed).
Ms Dodie is a Caymanian who has been employed in the office at CIS for four years.
In this position, she has become the voice and face of CIS, often the first person a new family meets, and the person the whole school turns to for help – whether for a Band-Aid, a phone number, or a listening ear.
Having suffered through personal hardship much of her life, Ms Dodie had also come to represent that which is best in each of us and the desire to be of service to others.
As a part of this recognition, a new award at CIS has been unveiled.
This award, the Dodie Ebanks Humanitarian Award, will be an annual award given out each spring to a single student at CIS.
It is the school’s hope that each spring Ms Dodie will be able to join them as they present this award to a student. A description of the award follows.
Ms Ebanks served the community of the Cayman International School from the period when it was known as the Faulkner Academy, through its initiation as the Cayman International School and through its growth and development.
During this time, Ms Dodie stood out for her dedication to the school, to the community and, most of all, to the students of the school.
She took with her no formal qualifications, as she would constantly point out, but she had something far more valuable – a wealth of life experiences, patience, endurance and kindness. In all of her interactions with the children, staff, students and members of the public she has shown her tremendous compassion and understanding for others. Everyone quickly came to know and trust her caring, loving ways.
The award will be given to a student chosen by the teachers and staff of CIS each year who has shown themselves to be all, or many of the things Ms Dodie is.
To be eligible the student must be in grade six through 12 and will have been enrolled at Cayman International School for at least one full school year.
The student who receives this award will have demonstrated a commitment to others as demonstrated through some of the following:
Strong work ethic
Positive attitude towards school, school work, and community
Inspires others
Community service
Service to school
Obvious commitment to the welfare of others
Leadership
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