“Winning the Carleton Williams Scholarship is a great honor and a privilege because I know it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Receiving this scholarship shows that my dedication, discipline, and hard work have paid off. I am grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported me along the way. This achievement inspires me to keep working hard, do my best in everything I do, and make my family, school, and community proud,” Emily Forbes 2026 recipient Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC) Scholarship expressed.

Since 2016, the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship has been impacting the lives of 11 Bahamian families. Named in honor of CBC’s former chairman, the academic award covers tuition of select private high schools for the full duration of their secondary years. Rotating between Garvin Tynes Primary in New Providence and all public primary schools in Grand Bahama, the scholarship is only available for sixth grade students.

Forbes, the current Head Girl at Garvin Tynes Primary and a finalist in the Bahamas Primary Student of the Year Foundation, is excited to learn new subjects upon entering high school at Aquinas College.

During the school year Forbes was involved in various extracurricular activities, many of which she intends to continue throughout high school. These include Spelling Bee, Brownies, Pathfinders, Spanish Club, Student Christian Movement, Art Club and Choir to name a few.

Throughout the application process, including the face-to-face interviews, judges looked for a student with exemplary grades, a solid involvement in the community, well rounded and ambitious.

Debi Williams, daughter of Carleton Williams, spoke about her experience participating in the scholarship recipient process this year.

“For me, the experience turned resumes into real people. I was impressed by the maturity and confidence of the candidates, and how meaningful this scholarship opportunity was for each of them,” she shared.
CBC is proud to hold this scholarship in Carleton Williams’ honor for his years of dedication. A legacy his daughter is proud to be a part of. Williams expressed how this scholarship honors her father’s life.

“My father lived by the gifting principle, to whom much is given, much is expected. He gave generously, was extremely community minded. He appreciated the value of a good education and would assist many who would otherwise have been unable to access it,” she said.

"The Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship continues his legacy beautifully, because seeds are best sown in fertile, curious minds and this scholarship will be life-changing for so many,” Williams concluded.

Forbes looks optimistically at the new school year and offers words of encouragement to hopeful scholarship applicants.

“My words of encouragement to other students are to stay focused, work hard, and never give up. Believe in yourself, trust God's plan, and remember that with God, nothing is impossible. Keep doing your best, and your hard work will pay off,” she enthusiastically expressed.

Williams also shared similar sentiments with Forbes for next year’s applicants.

“I would encourage them always to strive for their highest and best selves, and to use their talents to help others as they are able. If each one helps even one, our community would be stronger and better for it,” she shared.