CedarBridge Academy principal Kalmar Richards saluted the high achievers of “the Bridge” at the school’s prize-giving last night.

It was a special ceremony for Ms Richards, who will take over the role of Acting Commissioner of Education next week after 17 years in charge at CedarBridge.

Ms Richards was introduced by chairman of the board, the Reverend Leonard Santucci, who told pupils to “continue to give yourself your best effort”.

He added: “You then give your family, extended family and your community your best — it starts within you and works its way out”.

Ms Richards was cheered by pupils as she surveyed the year’s achievements in drama and the arts, sports and academics, the various exams and college admissions.

She told the school assembly: “We are proud to have some of Bermuda’s best and brightest students at CedarBridge Academy — they have exceptional skills and they are indeed brilliant.”

“Dream big, as you pursue your careers.”

Guest speaker Chardonnai DeSilva was a member of CedarBridge’s class of 1998, the second year to graduate.

Ms DeSilva told the assembly at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium: “The choices we make either bring us closer or take us away from our dreams and our goals. Your presence here today means you have chosen to be excellent.”