The positive attitudes and achievements of teenagers, in a society that often comes with peer pressure and other hardships, were last night recognised and honoured by some of the Island's elite.

At the City Hall Theatre hundreds gathered for the 24th annual Outstanding Teen Awards which reward outstanding students across the Island in nine categories. Bermuda High School pupil Aliyyah Ahad, 17, was crowned Outstanding Teen for 2008 after beating out more than 30 other nominees from schools around the Island.

Committees interview each nominee and a winner in each category is chosen including an outstanding overall winner. Ms Ahad has successfully completed eight GCSEs and has consistently made the Honour Roll throughout senior school.

She also wrote an extensive essay — in french — focusing on the 2005 riots in France and specifically on the integration problems faced by second and third generation immigrants.

Additionally, her extensive list of extraordinary achievements include her representation of Bermuda on the Island's national debate team, in South Korea recently, for the World School Debating Championships.

Ms Ahad told The Royal Gazette of her recognition: "It's such an honour... I'm very happy to have won this, especially against such amazing competition. I hope that the Outstanding Teen Awards continue for many years."

Asked on her plans for the future, she said: "I haven't quite nailed it down but I know I definitely want to come back to Bermuda and work in race relations. Or I might go into a career in law. I'm really keen on debating so I feel like I should go for my strength which is public speaking."

Minister of Environment and Sport Elvin James was the event's honourary patron and he emphasised it was about recognising the positive attitudes of Bermuda's teenagers. He told the teenagers: "Tonight, you have become great role models to those around you. You have set an example that the rest of your peers can follow.

"No matter what awards you get, I want you to recognise the support that you have and the support that has gotten you to where you are tonight.

"I want to recognise as well, no matter what your success, you must go from here and go even higher. Sometimes success can scare — you get a little success and we get frightened that we may fail.

"Sometimes you think people are expecting too much of you. But don't be afraid to fail, we learn from our mistakes. "You only have seven years — seven years to lay that foundation to prepare you for the rest of your life."