A group of students who attended an annual summer programme were urged to measure their abilities by the way they treat others.

Bermudian criminology researcher Frankco Harris made the call during the closing ceremony of the Future Leaders Bermuda 2026 Summer Induction programme which was held at the Bermuda College on Friday night.

The event marked the end of three weeks of academic study and leadership training for 17 students drawn from schools across Bermuda and overseas.

It featured a series of student presentations, where the cohort used a teach-back style and spoken word to share what they had learnt over the three weeks.

This year’s cohort included Brianna Gordon, D’keahi Darrell, Kelise Wade, Etana Holdipp-Lynch, Diora Blackstock, Christopher Madeiros, Jasmine Reid-Rubaine, Khloee Bassett, Cayzie Ford, Yemaya Iris, Christina Lee, Diya Steede, Luca DeSilva and Nylan Tyrrell.

The presentations highlighted the depth of thought this year’s cohort brought to the programme, organisers said.

Mr Harris, the featured speaker, told the students about the difference between achievement and worth.

He spoke about a complicated childhood and how school became a place where he could perform, achieve and be praised, even as he struggled underneath it.

He told students that “achievement is not always evidence that somebody is flourishing”, and that he had leadership ability long before he understood what leadership actually meant.

He said: “You were valuable before you entered this programme.

“You will still be valuable on the day that you fail at something.”

He challenged the students to measure themselves not by titles or curricula vitae, but by how they treat people when no one is watching.

At the event, the room was decorated with posters which the students created throughout the programme.

They covered multiple topics including identity and privilege, self-determination, poverty and inequality, cognitive bias, philanthropy, and interrupting the cycle of oppression.

The posters provided guests with a visual record of three weeks of research and reflection.

Several government officials, including Zane DeSilva, the Deputy Premier, attended the event.

The participants will move into phase two of the programme, a three-year journey running through September 2029.

They will be placed into small ‘pods’ and mentored by senior alumni and staff.

The work will cover wealth, care, relationships, business and career and spirituality and health.