How many words are synonymous with Kalmar Richards? Energetic. Hardworking. Spiritual. Dedicated. The list goes on and on.

Just five years ago, the former Somerset Primary principal was seconded to CedarBridge Academy to become one of its four deputy principals. In September 1999, she became the school's first female and Bermudian principal. And although she knew it was not going to be an easy task, Mrs. Richards said she was ready for whatever lay ahead.

“I knew that it would be challenging, but I came with the attitude ‘We've got to make it work',” she says with a smile.

And work it has been.

“You are a student of excellence,” is one catch-phrase that can be frequently heard around the halls of CedarBridge. Mrs. Richards believes it, and she wants her students to live up to it.

“Every child has a purpose and talent but has to work hard,” she says. “I am determined to change the mindsets of students who don't believe they can succeed.”

Undaunted in her task to instil the highest self-expectations in her students, says one of the highest points as CedarBridge's principal is that students are buying into the ideal that they are the creme of the crop.

“Because they are,” she says with pride.

“Students used to say it jokingly (that they are students of excellence), but now they mean it.”

As she stops for a moment to reflect on the past challenges of the school, Mrs. Richards admits the atmosphere has “changed” now that students have been placed into alternative schools. But she says she knows there will be success stories from many of them.

“Those young students will be helped as well,” she says.

As Mrs. Richards leads CedarBridge into a new era, she says what she wants most is for parents to consider CedarBridge Academy the first choice for public education.

And everyday she is working hard to make that goal a reality.

“At the end of each day, I'm always thinking, ‘What is it that I can do better?'”

Just keep on the way you have, Mrs. Richards. You are doing an outstanding job and the community salutes you.