"outstanding record of community service'' in the US, yesterday thanked those who helped him on the road to success.

Mr. Dennis Rahiim Watson -- a former high school drop-out who now heads The National Black Youth Leadership Council (NBYLC) in New York -- said he made it despite obstacles in his teen years.

The 38-year-old NBYLC executive director, who was an early library member and read more than 150 books before he reached high school, said: "I was kicked out of high school because I was an independent thinker''.

Mr. Watson, who left Robert Crawford School for Boys at age 14, said: "I questioned everything. They would say black people had no history. But what I was being taught clashed with what I was reading. So I challenged teachers.'' He said his challenging of teachers was seen as "insubordination''. And after being suspended from Robert Crawford 37 times, Mr. Watson said he was "kicked out'' in 1968.

"But,'' he said, "I feel honoured because I always believe success is the best revenge.'' Mr. Watson left Bermuda in 1969 to enrol in Harlem Prep in New York. He later attended Fordham University in the Bronx, then Pace University.

In 1978, Mr. Watson returned home and worked at Belmont Hotel and Holiday Inn in various positions, including waiter and bellman.

But a year later he published his first book "Words For Lovers, Friends and Enemies'' and began visiting local schools to spread his message on the importance of goal-setting and determination.

He left Bermuda in 1980 and took his message to the US where he "motivated and inspired over 3.5 million youth'' at high schools, colleges, universities, youth centres, prisons, drug rehabilitation centres and churches.

In addition to his recognition by President Bush, Mr. Watson received six presidential citations for his work, including the Private Sector Initiative Commendation in recognition of "exemplary community service in the first American tradition'' from former President Ronald Reagan in 1985 and the President's Action Award Citation in 1987.

"Receiving such honours has practically become a way of life with you. Small wonder! Your constructive work with senior citizens, prison inmates, psychiatric patients,and students has brought them inspiration and the hope they need so badly,'' Mr. Reagan said in a 1985 letter to Mr. Watson.

"I especially admire your emphasis on personal initiative and personal responsibility. You have reminded us that honour can be serious business, even a healing art.'' Mr. Watson said support from "great Bermudian teachers'' at Ord Road Elementary such as Mrs. Gaynell Robinson, Mrs. Dorothy Tatem, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Mrs. Devina Blakeney and Dr. Gerard Bean have helped him succeed.

He also thanked Robert Crawford teachers Mr. Earl Hart, Mr. Lloyd James and the "most progressive, best teacher from overseas'' Mr. David Raine for believing in him "in spite of all the negativity''.

He said his belief in God and strong support from family and friends also helped.

While being proud of such honours, Mr. Watson said: "These awards are for every elementary and high school student in Bermuda, for every son and daughter of a waiter, caddy, bartender and other workers in Bermuda, for those young Bermudians who are struggling economically. This means that they too can make it''.

But he stressed that in order to make it, young people must have "a purpose in life'', good leadership and organisation.

"Every young Bermudian must have a mission, the goal to lift up the family name, family members and even the people who put them down. You've got to learn to be bigger not bitter.''