"Inspiring, heartwarming and beautiful," are the adjectives Laura Ashton used to describe the posters depicting role models, heroes and positive influences created by local primary and middle school students as part of Rise Above Bermuda's "Each One, Reach One, Teach One" poster competition.

Ms Ashton is a member of the Youth and Development Committee of the organisation formed in the wake of the upsurge in gun violence last winter. Some sixty students from Paget Primary, Purvis Primary, Victor Scott Primary and T N Tatem Middle School entered posters into this competition and the best designs were selected and placed on display at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art in the Botanical Gardens, Paget.

Fellow committee member and competition project leader, Sarine Babb noted, "The Each One, Reach One, Teach One, Creative Poster Competition spawned as a result of the many ideas generated during the 30-day mandate.

"The initiative of this project was to inspire and encourage students to focus on positive people who have inspired them amid the recent spate of shootings here in Bermuda.

"The challenge for these students was simple and they were able to use any medium they chose to help advance their designs. From those that were submitted a number of creative and brilliant pieces emerged."

While congratulating the students on their participation, Ms Babb acknowledged that the competition's success was due to, "the support from members, teachers and students within our community who are committed to positive change."

The exhibition opened on October 2, and will be on display until October 16. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masterworks charges a general admission of $5 and is free for members and children under 12 years of age.