Students gathered in honour of the principals who encouraged and inspired them throughout their education at a special awards ceremony.

The ceremony was held last Wednesday at the Southampton Princess to highlight the achievements of principals from schools across the Island.

The event was organised by the Youth Task Force a group of teenagers aged from 15 to 19.

According to member Asha Galloway, principal Lois Tucker encouraged her to excel even when she wanted to give up.

The 19-year-old said: "My school principal at Bermuda Institute was very influential around campus. She made a lot of changes and wanted to raise the standard of education in all aspects so we were well-rounded students.

"She noticed me slacking a little bit and not doing so great in English, so she sat me down and said 'don't allow one semester to change the whole direction of your life. Keep going'. She told me 'don't be a fallen star, be a rising star'.

"It basically made me work harder and forget about the past and keep looking towards the future and continue to strive for excellence."

Youth Task Force member Coy Millett, 17, of Warwick Academy, spoke just as highly of principal Maggie McCorkle. Although new to the post, she worked for years as a teacher at the school.

"Ms McCorkle was the type of person who, regardless of what you did, would just encourage you and help you to do better things, reach for higher goals and carry yourself in a better way. I feel that throughout my time at Warwick Academy she has been very influential in my life," he said.

The Youth Task Force was established by the Bermuda 2009 Committee to spearhead youth-centered events as the Island celebrates its 400th anniversary.

Since the beginning of the year, the group has put together a forum where guests discussed a range of issues including gang violence, drug abuse and teen sexuality, and a debate with primary school students.

It also organised a 'Day of Responsibility' where youth organisations from around the Island were presented with certificates for their efforts.

The most successful event was a concert held on June 5 which involved a band from the Berkeley Institute, Organised Confusion, and international recording artists Jagged Edge and Black Street.

The group also includes Altonio Roberts from CedarBridge Academy, Shay Juan Bascome and Tahirah Grant from Bermuda College, Shaloi Duncan from Saltus, Zion Todd and Kristen Greene from Bermuda Institute, and Necole Ebbin, who is working towards her general education diploma. Gladstone Thompson serves as group leader and coordinator.

Said Mr. Thompson: "These young people are the best absolutely. Having had an opportunity to reflect on this part of the 400th anniversary, I would selfishly like to think this is the best part of the celebration.

"I think whoever made the decision to bring in a youth task force had great insight. What I can say is the skills these young people have learned is going to afford Bermuda an opportunity to go into the next 400 years successfully."

He added: "These young people are very talented and have what it takes to be our future leaders. I think we stress the negativity [in our kids on the Island], and we certainly don't want to turn a blind eye to it, but there are young people among us making a difference."

Though it is not certain whether the Youth Task Force will continue next year, all members were in agreement that its members would help improve their peers leadership, responsibility, social networking and maturity skills.