suggests she likes what she sees.

"It's going to be such an adventure. I'm so looking forward to it,'' she beams, her proud mother at her side.

The 18-year-old singer, dancer and clarinettist could well be talking about her life -- an unending vista of opportunities stretching before her.

In fact, the focus is much narrower; on her mind is the period July 1995-July 1996.

That is when the Bermuda College student will be literally a young woman going places -- to Asia, Europe, America, or Mexico, perhaps -- as part of the international Up With People programme.

The programme, launched in 1965 by Mr. J. Blanton Belk to promote peace through understanding, allows intensely curious 18 to 26-year-olds from all over the globe to travel, and explore other cultures and languages.

Staying with families, they meet leaders of business, industry, government and the arts, and visit schools, hospitals and prisons, and homes for the elderly.

They are also handed a gilt-edged chance to showcase their musical and dancing talents.

The 700 Up With People students are split into five casts, which put on ambitious two-hour productions with a distinctly contemporary feel.

How did Tawana get plucked from the 8,000-odd hopefuls who apply annually to join the programme? After all people are selected not just on performing talent; programme organisers say candidates must show "maturity, motivation, an interest in the world, ability to communicate, and a desire to contribute to society'', among other qualities.

Spend a few minutes in her company, and it becomes clear why she stood out.

The Southampton songstress is equipped with a smile that flashes like a beacon, and a personality which bubbles and fizzes at almost every juncture of a conversation.

But behind the crackle and pop is a very serious young woman.

She comes across as someone with terrifically high self-esteem -- the quality, many argue, that is so absent among today's young.

God dealt Tawana a good hand in the talent department, and the former Warwick Academy student seems determined to reap full advantage.

Before her interview with The Royal Gazette , she jotted down on a piece of paper a few highlights of her short life.

It makes impressive reading: Majorette for 10 years...member of the Youth, Sport and Recreation's annual road show, 1989-93...girl guide...Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme bronze and silver medallist...Candystriper for four years...member of school band and choir...helped found a group called Sweet Harmony...a Bermuda College peer adviser...netball player for Warwick...

And this is by no means the end of the list.

As she scribbled in her notes: "These are just to name a few of the activities I've been involved in.'' A few lines later she wrote, probably redundantly: "Busy is my middle name. I take advantage of what is being offered for the youth of Bermuda.

"I like to be busy. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but it's quite rewarding in the long run.

"After all because of this I now have a place in the July 1995 cast.'' Tawana got her chance with Up With People when the 30-year-old programme came to Bermuda College in search of talent.

"I had seen them perform before so I was familiar with the programme,'' she explains.

"A friend of mine encouraged me to sign up for an interview.'' One of the things the interviewers asked her to do was write a paragraph about why she wanted to join, and the type of activities she threw herself into -- an immense challenge given the range of her interests.

Her success at being selected for the programme has left her with an enormous feeling of pride.

"It's such a great honour to be able to represent Bermuda.'' One obstacle, however, stands in her way: money. Each student on the programme has to contribute $12,000.

Tawana has already begun such fund raising ventures as bake sales, but is well short of her target.

"What I am really looking for are sponsorships and donations from businesses in the community,'' she says.

Assuming she has the funds, her great adventure will begin in Denver, Colorado -- on an "orientation'' programme, discovering what role she will play in her cast.

She will then know to which continent she will travel.

For her mom, Mrs. Patty-Ann Flood, it means not seeing her daughter for 12 long months, except perhaps during a two-week break in the programme.

But Mrs. Flood is the last person to stifle her daughter's ambitions.

"I am just so proud of her. She does so much in the community with so many different organisations, I don't know where she gets the energy from,'' she says.

Tawana is truly a teenager on the move.

Anyone who can help Tawana with funding should contact her on 238-3685, or ring her mother at work on 292-6985. Alternatively, they can get in touch through P.O.Box 442 Warwick.

GOING PLACES -- Tawana Flood, who is looking for sponsors to fund her adventure with Up With People.