ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Kiwanis Aruba Student Awards celebrated nine Colegio Arubano students for their academic achievement, commitment and perseverance during the 30th Clint Whitfield Outstanding Student Award ceremony.
The anniversary event was held at Aruba Surfside Marina and honoured students representing different levels of HAVO, VWO and Ciclo Basico education.
Award Celebrates Thirty-Year Legacy
The Clint Whitfield Outstanding Student Award has reached its 30th edition, marking three decades of recognising promising students from Colegio Arubano.
The programme honours the legacy of Clinton “Clint” Whitfield, who is remembered as an important early leader and the first president of Kiwanis Club of Aruba.
Ebby Schwengle, chairman of the organising committee and master of ceremonies, opened the anniversary programme with a special video commemorating Whitfield’s influence and the history of the award carrying his name.
Nine Students Receive Recognition
Kiwanis Club of Aruba presented awards to students from seven non-examination levels:
- Ciclo Basico 1: Eloise Niebles Diaz
- Ciclo Basico 2: Giovanny Martinez
- HAVO-3: Aaron Espinal Vasquez
- HAVO-4: Ismari Servud
- VWO-3: Laura Bonnevalle
- VWO-4: Kyle de Cuba
- VWO-5: Jerriqu Tromp
The organisation also recognised the two leading examination graduates from Colegio Arubano:
- HAVO-5: Jia Tao Zhong
- VWO-6: Evie van der Sloot
Together, the nine students represented different stages of secondary education and were honoured for consistently strong performance.
Evie van der Sloot Achieves Six-Year Milestone
Evie van der Sloot received special recognition after earning the Clint Whitfield award for six consecutive years.
Kiwanis described the achievement as an exceptional demonstration of dedication, perseverance and academic excellence.
Van der Sloot was also identified as Colegio Arubano’s leading VWO graduate for the 2025–2026 academic year. Jia Tao Zhong received the corresponding recognition as the school’s leading HAVO graduate.
Their achievements were recognised separately during the Women’s Club of Aruba Best Student Award event, which honoured top graduates from educational institutions across the island.
Legacy Awards Support Repeat Winners
Strena Creatives Aruba supported the Kiwanis celebration as sponsor of the Legacy Awards.
These additional recognitions were intended for students who had received the Clint Whitfield award more than once, highlighting continued achievement across multiple academic years.
The Clinton Whitfield Foundation was also thanked for its longstanding cooperation and support of the programme.
Families and Educators Recognised
Kiwanis Club of Aruba thanked the parents, teachers, mentors and school representatives who guided and supported the students throughout their education.
Academic achievement frequently reflects not only the student’s individual effort but also encouragement received at home and guidance provided by educators.
The event allowed families and teachers to celebrate the students’ accomplishments while encouraging each recipient to continue developing their talents.
Award Encourages Future Leadership
The Clint Whitfield Outstanding Student Award is designed to recognise academic excellence while encouraging young people to become responsible future leaders.
By honouring students at several educational levels, the programme rewards both graduating students and younger pupils who are already demonstrating commitment and potential.
The 30th Kiwanis Aruba Student Awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of nine Colegio Arubano students while preserving a tradition that has inspired generations of young people across Aruba.
