Saltus student Tiffany Payner recently picked up a top honour for teenagers on the Island as the Overall Outstanding Teen in a programme run by Teen Services.

Royal Gazette Young Observer reporter Robert Watson caught up with busy Ms Paynter recently and spoke about her achievments and hopes for the future.

Robert: You recently won the Overall Outstanding Teen Award. What were you feeling when this was announced?

Tiffany: I was overjoyed. I couldn't stop smiling.

Robert: You also started the Black History Month at Saltus Senior School. What motivated you to do this?

Tiffany: Saltus didn't cover black history. The only real education you got about black history was the slave trade and such,back in senior two and three. I wanted to learn about my culture. There were a lot of people who felt the same way, but they wouldn't start it.

Robert: What are your plans for the future? Have you applied for college and what do you plan to do for a living?

Tiffany: All the colleges I applied to were Canadian because they were less expensive than in the States. I applied to Western, Dalhousie and Queen's. Queen's has already accepted me and I've decided that's where I want to go. After that, I'd like to teach English Literature at a secondary school level.

Robert: What are your favorite classes?

Tiffany: History and English Literature but English Literature above all else.

Robert: How do you study for tests and exams?

Tiffany: I need noise. I need something to ignore.

Robert: Lastly, any words of advice?

Tiffany: If I learned anything this year, it was to be true to yourself. You have to be real with yourself and be real with the people around you. There are opportunities everywhere for Bermudians to excel in, maybe as a doctor or a scientist or whatever.”