Whether it is on the basketball court, or in the classroom, 17-year-old Kevin Minors Jr. loves a challenge.

It might be one of the reasons he placed first in the 2009 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Beautillion challenge in May.

The prize was a $5,000 scholarship from Alpha Phi Alpha, an intercollegiate fraternity focused on service.

Six months ago, Mr. Minors was one of six students selected by Bermuda schools to take part in the Alpha Phi Alpha Beautillion programme.

"They had a very tight schedule for us," said Mr. Minors. "We had to volunteer at the Matilda Smith Seniors residence every week. We had to help out with the Boy's Reading Club at the Youth Library every week.

"We had to take part in the Math Attack programme at Dellwood Middle school. We also had leadership seminars that took place at Belco. There were also other things that we did."

Through the Math Attack programme the beautillion participants helped Dellwood students with their math.

"The students there wanted to learn more about math or wanted more help," said Mr. Minors. "We would help them, or teach them new concepts. The members of the fraternity would teach the new concepts to us first, so we could teach it to the students. Afterwards we would have a pizza dinner.

"I enjoyed the Math Attack programme because my favourite subject is math," said Mr. Minors, a Warwick Academy student. "I liked helping the next generation understand math.

"I think math is a nice challenge. A lot of my friends think it is hard, but I like it."

He said he enjoyed working with younger kids, because it took him back to his own childhood.

"I think they look up to you," he said.

Mr. Minors still has one year left of high school, but he hopes to eventually go to the United Kingdom to study math further. He wants to eventually get a masters degree in mathematics.

"I might teach there," he said. "We will see what happens."

The programme culiminated with a special beautillion night held at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium. It was on this night that final selections were made for a winner.

"That night was amazing," said Mr. Minors. "We had to first give introductions on ourselves.

"We had to read an essay that we had prepared. We had to answer a spontaneous question on the spot. We also had to perform a talent. Once they announced the winner I was very happy."

His spontaneous question was: 'if you were in a position of authority, what would you do to decrease the level of violence in Bermuda?'

"I said that it was a two part problem," he said. "For the short term I didn't know what I would do. I think we waited too long before we got serious about the violence.

"For the long-term in Bermuda we do not have a violence or gang problem; we have a family problem."

He said he would implement different programmes to strengthen families so that children could live better lives.

"After the speech, other students there told me that they felt like they could make a difference if they spoke up a little more and got their opinion out there."

Winning the beautillion has led to other events for Mr. Minors.

He was asked to speak on a radio show about violence. He also spoke at his church about it.

The teenager is very active in his church, Vernon Temple, AME.

"I am the president of the youth ushers," he said. "I also help out during Sunday School. I was chosen to be the official scripture reader.

"Being a part of this church has definitely affected my life. It gives you something to believe in, and something to strive for".

Mr. Minors has a packed schedule. In addition to being part of the Alpha Phi Alpha beautillion programme, he also plays the viola and plays basketball with the Bermuda National High School Select team.

"I am going on a basketball trip this summer," he said. "In fact, I am leaving this Saturday to go to Florida. I was chosen to be the captain of the team. Basketball is another challenge. I enjoy having somethng that relieves the stress and uses energy."

Although adults may ask 'what stress, you're 17' he said teenagers have plenty of stress.

"I stress over school, parents, friends," he said. "It is just different things that teenagers go through."

There will be no resting on his laurels this summer. After the basketball trip he is going to China to the Global Youth Leadership Conference.

"The school nominated me," he said. "Every year they send about five students to go to a conference. Then the students get to choose whether to go to the United States, United Kingdom or China. They chose China.

"I get back for about three weeks and then I go to New York with the fraternity again for a leadership development seminar at St. John's University.

"I get back for another day. Then I go to Jamaica with the Duke of Edinburgh programme. I am going to get my gold award."

He is the son of Kevin and Carol Minors and big brother to Keevon Minors.