themselves in one of the most demanding of all professions...modelling.

It is quite an achievement for brother and sister Ahmad and Terra Cary when you consider they are just seven and four years old respectively.

They are children of Bermudian Jody (Stovell) Cary and American jazz musician Marc Cary and have developed an impressive portfolio in a short time, doing advertising jobs for Ralph Laurent, Esprit and major retail outlets such as Nordstrom's, Macy's, Blomingdale's, Gap and Toys R Us.

Ahmad has been modelling since the age of one with Terra following her brother into the business three and a half years ago.

Terra has in fact begun to branch out into television and already has to her credit an Elmo segment on the popular children's programme Sesame Street where she performed with her father.

"The way he got involved was very interesting,'' said Mrs. Cory of Ahmad's entry into modelling.

"Since Gap uses minority children I called their advertising department and asked them what agencies they used and got together some regular 35mm photographs and since I live in New York I walked into this one agency, they accepted him and the rest is history.'' At about a year old, herself, Terra was taken along on one of Ahmad's `go sees' (auditions) and she was also spotted and quickly began getting assignments. Both do predominantly print advertising and judging from the photographs both appear quite comfortable in front of the camera. Certainly they have that `look'.

"In this month's Nordstroms catalogue they appear together and it is one of the first printed ads they have done together,'' said mom. "They also did a Ralph Lauren ad together.

"It's a lot of work, people think it's very glamorous, but I couldn't do it if I didn't live in Manhattan. It's much easier because we're right in the city and I just jump on the train.'' The children work through one of the top agencies, Product Model Agency, which keeps them busy with assignments.

"Our agency is reputable and is one of the four top print agencies.

"If your kid is going to work in print they will go to one of the top four,'' Mrs. Cory explained.

"Product have opened the eyes in the industry for children. They're young, energetic and artistic.'' Mrs. Cary is careful to watch over her children's careers very carefully and accompanies them on assignments which last, on average, about an hour.

"It's a business where, as parents, it is up to you to keep the child balanced,'' she stressed.

"Their whole world doesn't revolve around this. Terra does ballet, gymnastics and they both do martial arts and the most important thing is their childhood.'' As proud of their children as the Carys are, they never forced them into modelling. The interest of the child is first and foremost.

"It's important to me that the child wants to do it,'' Mrs. Cary says. "A lot of the times you see the parent living vicariously through the kids.'' As the children play in the yard of their grandmother's home in St. George's it is obvious they are listening to the interview, too, knowing they are the topic of discussion.

"Terra, as you can see, is a natural diva,'' said mom with a laugh. "Ahmad is much more laid back but he really enjoys it and that's very important.

"I let them know if you're tired and want a break and want to stop altogether that's fine. This is not your life, but as long as you enjoy it why not continue? They do a lot of department store ads and Terra just did a major Esprit ad.'' One of the most exciting assignments for Ahmad was a shoot done in location in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate, New York near Lake Placid last summer.

The photographer was Bruce Webber, one of the top fashion photographers in the world and Ahmad found himself working with all adult models.

"He (Webber) requested Ahmad and they flew us up there on a private jet and we really got a chance to see how top models work,'' said Mrs. Cary. She says that brother and sister models are not at all uncommon.

Mrs. Cary, who has a degree in international business and finance, has put her career on hold to oversee her children's modelling as well as her husband's musical career in a management capacity.

Because modelling is so competitive and demanding, Mrs. Cary is preparing her children for the pitfalls.

"It's important for them to have other interests, so that if this doesn't work out as they want to pursue it they are not lost as a person,'' said their mother.

"That happens a lot in television, especially for child actors.'' Child models in spotlight "It's an industry where today you can be hot, depending on what the trend is.

Today, every client in town could be calling you but they can also forget about you when somebody else is hot.

"So because I know that I try to keep them as balanced as possible. It's important to give them positive reinforcements because not everyone can handle rejection.'' Ahmad is now also showing an interest in acting and upon their return to New York his mother will begin looking for a commercial agent.

"I'm not pushing them to be models forever,'' Mrs. Cary says. "This is an experience for them and if it develops into something else, wonderful. If it doesn't, that's okay as well.

"They've gotten the chance to experience something that most people don't.

Ahmad, for instance, is a gadget person and will start talking to the photographer about his camera and, who knows, he may end up on the technical side.

"Terra, on the other hand, really enjoys styling when they are doing the hair or looking at the clothes. She likes to coordinate things.'' While in Bermuda recently they did the things that tourists do like going to the beach and visiting the Aquarium, taking a break from the hectic world of modelling.

Back in New York, Marc, who just won Billboard and BET's new Jazz artist for 2000, is writing new material as his own career reaches new heights following the release of three CDs this year. Veteran musician Charles Bascome brought Cary to Bermuda in 1998 to perform at the seventh annual Evening of Jazz at City Hall.

Mr. Furbert explained that planning for the Labour Day activities starts every March with a series of meetings involving the various committees.

"The committee will have a number of scheduled meetings leading up to Labour Day to plan the weekend of activities,'' explained the chairman.

"The closer it gets to Labour Day we step the meetings up, particularly the last six to eight weeks prior to Labour Day when we meet every Friday.

"We talk with the various committees, the entertainment committee, publicity committee, raffle committee, stalls committee, just to make sure everybody has all their ducks in a row.'' Swan's Running Club also play an active part in the planning as, for the past 16 years, they have been organising the Labour Day race which traditionally starts the new road running season.

"In the past three or four years the race has become more and more popular,'' says Mr. Furbert proudly.

"Before they closed, Co-op used to sponsor the race but now for the past four years Footstop Shoe Store is the sponsor. We've put a challenge out there for people to break the record.'' There is also a five-mile walk starting at 8 a.m., followed by the road race at 9 a.m., both starting at TCD and finishing outside the BIU building. After the awards presentation for both the walkers and runners at about 10 a.m., the march will begin at approximately 11.30 from Union Square to Bernard Park where the day long festivities, including speeches and entertainment, will go on until about 9 p.m.

The raffle draw will be made at 8 p.m. and includes travel vouchers ranging in value from $500 to $1500, a computer system and other prizes.

The entertainment will include the Dennis Moniz Trio, Coca Cola Steel Band, Dennis Fox Trio, George Simons Trio, Hubert Smith, Gina Spence, Patricia Pogson and a karate demonstration by Skipper Ingham's school, as well as entertainment by Spanish Town.

After Saturday's night's banquet there will be a worship service at the Church of God on North Shore Road on Sunday at 11 a.m.