Berkeley Institute student Eboné Weeks has been selected to represent the Island as a 'global scholar' at the Global Young Leaders' Conference this summer.

She was chosen for her "outstanding" academic achievements

The 16-year-old is the daughter of Progressive Labour Party MP Michael Weeks and his wife Cindy, a social studies teacher.

Eboné, along with students from more than 100 countries, will have the choice of attending the conference in China or New York city.

The conference brings together students between the ages of 15 and 18 from around the world to build critical leadership skills. It provides them with an opportunity to exchange ideas with some of the world's leading business leaders, diplomats, journalists and academics during a period of about two weeks.

According to Eboné, she inherited her mom's interests in history and culture making a trip to China particularly exciting for her.

"I have been interested in history and learning about different places for most of my life," the S3 student said. "Up until recently I wanted to study archaeology at university. So going to China, a country that has tons to offer in terms of culture and sight seeing is really cool to me. I can't wait to see the Great Wall of China and I am so excited to go to the Forbidden City and see the Terracotta Army and the Imperial Tombs in Xian."

Her father has also inspired her interest in the past, Eboné said.

"My father has always taught me the importance of history," she said. "History allows us to learn from mistakes and shows us how far we have come as people."

The conference will expose Eboné and the rest of the young scholars to a diverse range of diplomatic, social, economic and international subjects. Included is a study of China's ascension to one of the world's greatest economic and military superpowers and how a communist country embraces the idea of capitalism.

Eboné has had high honours for the entirety of her academic career. Her grades at the Berkeley Institute put her into the 85th percentile, meaning her grade point average is higher than 85 percent of her peers.

Her former aspirations of being an archaeologist have changed she now wants to become a prosecuting litigation lawyer.

For two years in a row Eboné captained her school's quiz team. To start getting the hang of arguing in court, she is joining the Berkeley Institute debate team.

Twice a week Eboné volunteers at the Victor Scott Primary School as a mentor and homework tutor.

"I really enjoy my time helping the kids with their homework," she said. "It is a great feeling to know that they rely on me and that I can do something for them. They look up to me and it makes me proud."