of international students who attended a prestigious summer school at Oxford University.

Sixteen-year-old Jay Butler was selected as the top student out of 360 from North America and abroad who attended the month-long Oxford Tradition programme in England in July.

Jay was selected for the Dean's Prize for Most Outstanding Student for his overall contribution as well as his academic excellence.

Scott Granger, the Dean of St. Peters College, Oxford, where Jay was in residence, lavished praise on the 11th grade student.

He said: "Jay embodied what a model student should be: hard-working, thoughtful, creative, highly intelligent, and able to relate to and with everyone around him.

"Amid a very strong, talented and diverse group of students in St. Peter's College, Jay stood out as a mature, sophisticated and diligent young man who seized every opportunity to explore Oxford to the full.

"What made him remarkable in my eyes was his refusal to waste a single moment of his stay in the city, and he truly set an inspiring example to others.

"In addition, he did everything with such style, grace and good humour. I can simply say it has been an honour to make Jay's acquaintance.'' During his stay in England, Jay visited Shakespeare's home in Stratford-Upon-Avon, went sight-seeing in London, and watched a performance of the Bard's Comedy of Errors in the renovated Globe Theatre in the capital, built on the site where the playwright originally showed his work.

As well as studying politics, economics, speech and rhetoric, Jay took the opportunity to visit an English lord in his 14th century home.

Another highlight for the student was being interviewed on BBC television after asking a question at the hustings for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats.

Jay, the son of Progressive Labour Party MP Dale Butler and Dr. June Hill, said he has not decided on a definite career path yet, but will probably take a degree in international law or international relations in the United States or Canada, followed by a law degree in England or Canada.

He said: "I was pleased and surprised to win the award. The course was wonderful and it was great to meet people from around the world and exchange cultural ideas and knowledge.'' He added that his schooling at Warwick Academy had given him a solid grounding for the courses at Oxford.

"Warwick Academy gave me a good base to go away and study different things,'' he said. "I was able to do all of the courses I did at Oxford because I had learned all of the basis at Warwick Academy.'' Photogrpah by Arthur Bean Top of the class: Warwick Academy 11th grader Jay Butler is looking to a bright future after being named the Most Outstanding Student at a prestigious Oxford University summer programme.