Four years ago, two fresh-faced youngsters walked through the vast doors of CedarBridge Academy not knowing what to expect. They each arrived from different middle ready to embark on a new adventure.

Sixteen-year-old Janaya Raynor is a Candystripper and hopes to become a doctor. A Principal's Honour student since her first term at CedarBridge, she is also an avid dancer, who enjoys ballet, tap and jazz.

Sportsman Doral Francis, also 16, aspires to be an architect. In his spare time, he loves reading hip-hop magazines, playing basketball and surfing the internet.

Now S4 students, and about to graduate in June, they are ready to begin a new era in their lives. Both sat down and shared their feelings with me.

What middle school did you attend?

JR: Spice Valley

DF: Whitney

Describe your feelings when you found out you were going to be attending CBA?

JR: I was excited because everybody expected me to go to Berkeley. But I wanted to prove that I could be successful no matter where I went to school.

DF: I knew I was coming because this is where my mother wanted me to be. There was no choice in the matter. My mom said the classes that were offered at CBA would better help my career.

What was the first word that came to your mind when you first walked through CBA's door?

JR: Wow!

DF: Whoa!

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a CBA student?

JR: Maintaining Principal's Honours since being an S1.

DF: Winning many sports awards. I was also the first junior basketball player to be on the senior team.

What role do you think you play as a history maker?

JR: To become the first valedictorian at CBA in the four-year system - I hope.

DF: I want to leave a mark on the school so that no teacher will forget me.

Were you disappointed when you found out that you would have to attend CBA for an extra year?

JR: Kind of, in the beginning, but I knew it would prepare me for the college and the rest of the world.

DF: I was mad because I didn't want to be here until 6 p.m., but I'm glad they introduced it because now I know I wasn't ready to go out into the world.

How are you dealing with the staggered schedule?

JR: It works because in college this how the schedule is going to be.

DF: Wonderful. The only sad thing is that I don't have any transportation.

How do you feel about graduating in June?

JR: Proud to be in the first-ever graduating class in the Bermuda Secondary Certificate system.

DR: Ready!