The new head boy at Berkeley Institute has given students something to feel good about: Azendé Furbert is very much one of their own.

“Normally it’s always the smartest person that applies for head boy,” Azendé explained. “I thought that if I applied and really stuck to it, I could be the difference.”

His election on Friday was an emotional occasion for the 17-year-old, who is on the Island’s national teams for both football and cricket, but who has also worked hard to build up his grades.

His proud aunt Nina Webb was at the presentation, even though it was by no means assured that Azendé would get the position.

“It was emotional — I shed a little tear,” he said. “A lot of students were crying for me, and teachers too; it’s just a nice vibe.

“I actually had a student come up to me after I was selected who gave me a hug and said that I had been a role model for him. That meant a lot to me.”

It was not a first: Azendé was head boy at Northlands as well.

Candidates for the position have to be a prefect first, but he believes that being engaging and accessible to other students as someone they can identify with helped him to be chosen for the job.

“I don’t think you can get much more relatable than me,” Azendé said.

“A lot of students look up to me as a sportsman, but seeing me doing well in academics is a plus.

“Hopefully other students will see what I’m doing and try to build off that.”

Although he enjoys subjects such as carpentry and art that involve practical skills, maths is one of Azendé’s favourites, and he enjoys writing.

Last year he made Berkeley’s honour roll, and he is also a member of the Youth Parliament, and takes part in the North Village Community Club.

As head boy, his upcoming responsibilities will include meeting with the school’s principal, Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, and addressing Berkeleyites at founder’s day.

This is also the first year that the school has had a prefects’ council, where Berkeley students can challenge the disciplinary decisions of prefects.

Azendé is the middle child of a large family: sisters Yama and DaShunte Furbert, and brothers Nátion Webb, Taye-Zino Trott and Jahkote Webb.

He credits football coach Casey Butterfield for mentoring and moulding him, along with gym teacher Irving Romaine, who also coaches at Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club.

“I don’t know all the aspects, but as head boy I will help to get the student body to do what’s right, and make sure that Berkeley runs as close to perfectly as possible,” he said.

“If change is needed I’ll try to make it, and make the school a better place.”

Azendé’s words of advice: believe in yourself.

“You’re the one who can limit yourself — only you,” he said.