A record number of Bermudian schoolchildren pitted themselves against their peers from 53 other Commonwealth countries in the 1993/94 annual Commonwealth Essay Competition.

And of these, a Saltus Grammar School student was short-listed for a prize for his essay.

John Singleton, 15, came fifth overall and was specially commended for his essay entitled "My Best Friend''.

The essay, which fell one place short of winning a prize, recounted the student's adventures with his older brother.

Fellow Saltus student Kris Hedges, who came fifth in the 1992/93 competition, was also specially commended.

"I am sure that all the people who received their certificates received them at least in part because what they put down on paper was legible and easily understood by those who had to judge them,'' Lord Waddington told the 30 students who received commendations at a presentation ceremony at Government House last week.

"I think that all the competitors showed a good grasp of language and clarity of expression.'' He added he was not surprised that John Singleton's essay had won a special award. "It was a really charming piece about the writer's best friend who turned out to be his brother,'' he said.

The Royal Commonwealth Society reported a record 6,260 entries from more than a thousand schools.

The competition founded in 1913 and which was introduced to Bermuda by Mr.

Ivan Cunningham, aims to encourage "a sense of being in the Commonwealth community'' among schoolchildren. It also aims to encourage young people aged up to 18 to express a range of thoughts and ideas in English -- the working language of both the Commonwealth and the international community.

The commended, highly commended and specially commended Bermudian winners who were presented with internationally recognised certificates by London-based chief examiner, Mr. Stephen Kempe, were as follows.

In the 16 to 18 age group, Simion Massey from Saltus Grammar School and Kristie-Ann Rayner from Warwick Academy were highly commended. Brooke Pedro of Mount St. Agnes received a commendation.

Of the 14 to 15 age group, Katherine Dunleavy of Saltus Grammar was highly commended. Jensen Bascome of Berkley Institute, Meshiah Bassett of Warwick Academy, Sarah Lindo of Bermuda High School, Victor Richards and Sean Smatt of Warwick Academy all received commendations.

The 12 to 13 age group included Dennie Paynter of Berkeley Institute and Lauren Pett of Saltus Grammar who were both highly commended. Zoe Roberts of Bermuda High School and Kristen White of Berkeley Institute were commended.

In the under-12 age group, Lyndsay Taylor of Mount Saint Agnes and Danielle Yeo of Bermuda High School were highly commended.

James Botelho of Mount Saint Agnes, Denae Deshields of Victor Scott Primary, Christina Dove of Bermuda High School and Adell Wainwright of Elliott Primary were all commended.

TOP ESSAYISTS -- Commonwealth Essay Competition judges awarded Kris Hedges (left) and John Singleton, pictured with the Governor Lord Waddington, special commendations for their essays.

HOST OF TALENT -- Bermudian students, commended for essays entered in the 1993/94 Commonwealth Essay Competition that judged over 6,000 entries from around the world, were presented with certificates at Government House last week.