Tucker, as the third recipient of the Robert Clements/ACE Scholarship, underlines the giant insurance and reinsurance group's long-term commitment to Bermuda.

ACE Chairman, President and CEO Brian Duperreault told The Royal Gazette ,"Our investment in this scholarship programme helps to ensure that a pool of talented young people receive an education that well positions them for future employment in the insurance and reinsurance sector.'' The scholarship, set up by the ACE Foundation in 1996 and previously awarded to Jazmin Raynor and Collin Anderson, funds an undergraduate or MBA degree in insurance or risk management at the College of Insurance in New York.

Established to celebrate ACE's tenth year of business here and in recognition of Mr. Clement's contribution in creating ACE Limited, scholars must exhibit leadership qualities, work experience, and community involvement as well as high academic qualifications.

Besides the three ACE Scholars, the Foundation is also financing the studies of Sandra Richards and Angelika Rohlmann at the College. "There is only one scholarship awarded each year but we felt that Angelika and Sandra deserved support in pursuing further educational development,'' said Candace Laing, Foundation administrator.

The Foundation places great importance on selecting students who are "well-rounded'' and committed to pursuing careers in the insurance industry.

Noting this year's winner had distinguished himself in and out of the classroom, Mrs. Laing said Kavan Tucker "exemplifies the spirit of this scholarship -- dedication, hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.'' Mr. Tucker, who achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and became involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda as part of his community service for that award, said his father and brother are both in insurance "and they kind of pushed me. I originally wanted to do physics, but I'm interested in actuarial studies, which should satisfy my math leanings.'' An accomplished athlete and a member of Hung Ga Kung-fu which he also teaches to children, Mr. Tucker also runs ("in my spare time'') his own auto airbrush and design business. Showing off an example of his work -- a colourful and intricately decorated bicycle helmet -- he said, "This became a hobby when I first got my bike. I decided to decorate the helmet myself, and the whole thing grew from there.'' Jazmin Raynor, ACE's first scholar and a former Warwick Academy student, obtained a degree in Psychology before she entered the College of Insurance.

While pursuing the MBA through her scholarship, she worked part-time at Guy Carpenter in New York, becoming a full-time marketing assistant with the company after graduation.

In June, she joined ACE as a graduate trainee and is currently working in the Financial Lines area. Ms Raynor, who values her present training programme whereby she rotates around different sections of the ACE Group said that "my next hope is to visit London for about eight months, to learn that end of the business''.

The scholarship, available to undergraduate and graduate applicants, was awarded in 1997 to Collin Anderson, who has now completed his first year of study in New York. Named as the College's Outstanding Student of the Year, Mr.

Anderson said his particular area of interest is political risk insurance.

After graduating with honours from the Berkeley Institute, he completed his International Baccalaureate at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. A recipient of the Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, he then obtained the Queen's Scout Award.

An accomplished musician, Mr. Anderson plays the alto sax and flute and is now teaching himself to play the guitar. "The Gold Award was really the stepping stone to becoming a Queen's Scout. I started when I was about 13 and, for me, scouting is the most important youth movement in the world.

"You can do just about anything. I, for instance, have already been able to visit different countries around the world -- Italy, Holland, and Chile, besides spending two years in Wales.'' With credits in Physics, English and Geography, Mr. Anderson says he was initially attracted to a career in engineering but, since deciding on insurance, was pleased that he maintained a 3.70 grade throughout his first year at the College.

Angelika Rohlmann, who is returning to the College to complete her final year, is receiving financial assistance from ACE to complete her degree at the College of Insurance, after which she hopes to do her Masters.

A former student at Warwick Academy where she was Deputy Head, she became a Police Cadet and as part of that scheme, attended classes at the Bermuda College. While there, some courses in insurance whetted her appetite and she decided to choose insurance, rather than the policing as a career.

A musician who plays the piano and who led the viola section in her school orchestra, Ms Rohlmann said that one of the best aspects of her Police training was the opportunity given her to attend the Outward Bound course held in Wales.

Finally, Sandra Richards, who was also selected to receive financial assistance, will start her graduate studies at the New York College this month. Winning a scholarship from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to attend Clark Atlanta University, she obtained a degree in Business Administration/Marketing.

A graduate of Berkeley and the Bermuda College, she has spent the vacation as a summer student at ACE USA in Atlanta. "I began at ACE when I was 19, as a secretary. I saw the opportunity for advancement, so I decided to leave Bermuda and go back to school. I believe my degree in Marketing will be of great use to me in the insurance business.'' STAIRWAY TO SUCCESS -- ACE's Brian Duperreault with 1998 Robert Clements/ACE Scholar Kavan Tucker (bottom) and (L-R): Sandra Richards, Angelika Rohlmann, 1997 Scholar Collin Anderson and 1996 Scholar Jazmin Raynor.