Government will be highlighting the public school system in an awards ceremony in November.

The Education Expo 2005 Committee will be hosting the second OBB Awards ceremony to honour individuals from Bermuda?s public school system who have excelled within the community.

Past winners have included Shawn Goater, Vance Chapman, Kalmar Richards, Janeiro Tucker, Pandora Wright, Kristin White, Ricky Spence, Stephen Coddington, to name but a few.

Nominations are open for this years? awards and the community have been invited to nominate who they would consider to be ?one of Bermuda?s best?.

Voting forms will be published in and forms will be sent to major companies, hotels and schools.

Drop-boxes will be strategically placed throughout the Island and a panel of judges representing a wide-cross section of the community will be responsible for determining the final four nominees within each of the categories, as well as the overall winner.

Categories include education, business, community and culture, tourism, trades and medicine.

There are also categories for young achievers, student role models and for individuals who have overcome obstacles to excel.

To be eligible for the OBB Award, nominees must have attended Bermuda?s public schools throughout their education, have children in public schools ? if they have children ? and be a member of the community in good standing.

The 2005 OBB Awards will be held at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium on November 19 at 6.30 p.m. and each winner will be presented with the award, an 18-inch lighthouse made of Bermuda Cedar by local craftsman Llewellyn Emery.