CedarBridge student Scott Kennedy has returned to the Island from the World Scholar Athlete Games inspired and with an new appreciation of global interconnectedness.

Scott was nominated to attend the Games, which were held at the University of Rhode Island, by US Consul General Gregory W. Slayton.

The Institute for International Sport launched the Games in 1993 as a way of illustrating that academics, athletics and culture can bring together young people from diverse backgrounds.

Scott was chosen by the Games Committee to take part in the arts programme ? his first choice.

But at the Games he not only picked up new artistic skills but also an understanding of the world around him and the problems that beset the globe.

Scott said he focused on acrylic art and worked on a 10 by 15 foot mural while there alongside artists from many other nations. In total 156 nations were represented at the event.

?I learned a lot of new techniques,? he said. ?It was really impressive to see the other artists at work.?

Scott said the trip was less about competition and more about communication.

?It was a lot of leadership and making friends and contacts. I learned about a lot of different cultures,? he said.

Scott now counts among his friends people from Czech Republic, Gambia, Uzbekistan and Micronesia among other countries.

?I learned that Bermuda is not the only friendly place in the world,? he said.

In addition to the arts programme, Scott took part in host of activities which included listening to speakers on world issues, group discussions, recreational sporting activities as well as evening entertainment such as karaoke and an open mic night. There were theme days which focused on ethics and sportsmanship, the global environment, world peace, world health, hunger and nutrition.

Scott said he most enjoyed the group discussions.

?I was able to voice my opinions and open myself up to new ideas and the world around us,? he said.

He also enjoyed playing recreational basketball and football where he was able to interact with people of different nationalities.

Leadership is an important aspect of the Games and this year former US President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker.

Scott said Mr. Clinton?s speech focused on the roles and responsibilities of today?s generation in ending problems such as global warming and world hunger.

?Nobody can do it by themselves,? Scott said.

?I learned not to procrastinate, how to be a leader and what you should do.?

As head boy of CedarBridge next year he said he would like to host more community events to bring people together.

?Bermuda can gain more political influence if we work as a team,? he said.

Scott plans to study world finance and economics at college when he leaves CedarBridge. He would like to become a certified finance analyst and is also interested in foreign and domestic affairs hoping to help Bermuda either abroad or locally.

Scott has received academic honours for his entire school career and is part of the National Honour Society of Bermuda.

Mr. Slayton said of Scott and his nomination: ?He?s an upstanding young Bermudian. He?s hard working and he?s had real success at CedarBridge.?

He added: ?It was a blessing for me to be able to nominate a young man like Scott.

?He seems to have made the most of the opportunity.

?Anything I can do to further the relationship between the United States and Bermuda, especially in the area of youth development, is a high priority for me.?