selected as Big Sister and Big Brother of the year. The titles were bestowed on Patrice Parris and Charles Williams during Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda's 20th anniversary banquet last month.

The decision was based on an essay-writing competition. Miss Parris' Little Sister is 12-year-old Zakiya Burchall, and Mr. Williams' Little Brother is Amaury Symonds, aged eight.

Their winning essays are printed here.

Judges were assistant Cabinet Secretary Robert Horton, PRIDE executive director Judith Burgess, and Berkeley Institute acting deputy principal Carlos Symonds.

Little Sisters Essay Competition winner Zakiya Burchall, 12, has been matched with her Big Sister, Patrice Parris, for five years.

The reason why my Big Sister should be Big Sister of the year is because she is not only a Big Sister, but also my very best friend, not only my very best friend, but also like my mother. I feel like I won a prize for Patrice being my Big Sister. I can depend on her at any time. Patrice has been my big sister for the past five or six years, and she has not changed a bit. She lends me her ear in the time of trouble, she is always thinking not only of me but of my little brother, whom she adores. Sometimes I think she thinks of him as a little brother, because of the love she shows.

When times were really rough, for instance when I was living between my mother and my father, I could always count on Patrice. She was always there for me to make me understand why life has got this way. Many nights of tears and misunderstanding, I know that I can pick up the phone and call my best friend Patrice. She would explain the facts of life to make me understand and guaranteed its between me and her. We always have happy times together. We go beaching, bowling, bike riding, movies and lots of other fun things we do.

Whenever we talk on the phone together she never hangs up the phone without saying "I Love You'' and I know she does. I love you too, Patrice. My heart feel so warm because I have a friend indeed and that's Patrice.

Patrice, thank you for being my big sister. You will always be my big sister even if I live to be 100 years. You will always be in my heart.

FRIEND AND CONFIDANTE -- Patrice Parris, at left, with her Little Sister Zakiya Burchall.