It came as no surprise to her colleagues when 17-year-old Tina Pereira was presented with the Women's Hospitals Auxiliary Candy Striper of the Year award in January.

For the senior Mount St. Agnes Academy student, who hopes to accept her highest badge by July, had already earned hundreds of hours working beyond her call of duty.

The bubbly teenager, who plans to become a Pink Lady in July, has carried out all the tasks required of a Candy Striper -- from delivering flowers to patients to comforting children on Gosling Ward, for the past four years.

And despite Tina's demanding studies in her last year of high school, Candy Stripers' supervisor Mrs. Evelyn Latham said Tina has earned 672 hours, not including all of May.

Candy Stripers can earn stripes and badges from 25 hours up to 700 hours.

Tina told The Royal Gazette she would not trade the experience for the world.

"It's a learning experience. I liked it from the beginning,'' she said, explaining that she became a Candy Striper after she realised she could not be employed in Bermuda and her mother suggested volunteer work.

"I really didn't know what to expect when I started but when I went through orientation I thought, I really like this.'' Tina said working as a Candy Striper is interesting because it entails a variety of responsibilities and allows one to meet many different people.

But she said two of her favourite tasks are working in the kitchen at the WHA's coffee shop and working on the children's ward.

"If the children are feeling down, I feel good to know I can help them feel happy,'' she said. "It's always good to play with them.'' But Tina, who wants to become a high school Mathematics teacher, warned that being a Candy Striper is not always fun and games.

"You have to work and be committed,'' she said. "The hours are not long, but you have to do a variety of things. If you like working with people -- as I do -- it's a good job.'' Tina, who gave up more than five hours a day during her summer vacation for the first two years as a Candy Striper, said being a Candy Striper has become such a natural part of her life that she does not see it as a sacrifice of her time.

In fact, the active teen also found time this year to be editor-in-chief of her school's year book.

Tina, along with others in Mount St. Agnes' senior year, also do volunteer work at St. Brendan's from 2 to 3 p.m. every Friday.

However, Tina said she would like to see more male Candy Stripers.

"We need a lot of males,'' she said. "It's not just a female thing. There are about two right now, including Saltus head boy David DaCosta, and they do a good job.'' Tina said she owes many thanks to her former supervisor Mrs. Ethel Waters, Candy Striper chairman Mrs. Penny Ray, volunteer director Mrs. Shirley Leach, Mrs. Latham, and "Pink Gentleman'' Craig Mahon who "keeps us all on our toes''.

WHA awards four scholarships annually to students completing their senior-year studies locally. Each scholarship is worth $1,000.

Tina, along with Latasha Simmons, Joanna Hollis and Sarah Frith, were recipients last year.

CANDY STRIPER OF THE YEAR -- Miss Tina Pereira.