A Bermudian student has won the right to serve as an ambassador for his college in the US.

Reyel Bowen ? a graduate of the Believing and Striving in Christ Home School in Bermuda ? has been declared winner of the Mr. Drake State Technical College contest in Huntsville, Alabama.

It means he will represent the college at special functions and recruitment activities throughout the next year.

Reyel, a former CedarBridge Academy pupil, fought off competition from six rivals to claim the award.

The contest involved talent and oratory tests, in which he was judged by community leaders, and a vote from the Drake student body.

In the weeks leading up to the competition, candidates campaigned by posting flyers, distributing goodies and visiting classrooms to garner potential votes.

During the awards ceremony, Drake President Dr. Helen McAlpine said: ?I know the judges and the student body had a hard time selecting their favourite candidate from this fine group of men.

?I am very pleased with the election made by the judges and our student body.?

Reyel is enrolled as an accounting major in his first semester at Drake State through a scholarship from the National Training Board (NTB) in Bermuda.

He said: ?I had never heard of Drake until my mom persuaded me to attend the college?s recruitment session held at the National Training Board last spring.

?If it had not been for the NTB funds, I would not have been able to attend college.?