approximately three years, and this week their hard work paid off when the pair were recognised at a special Government House ceremony presided over by Chief Guide Lady Waddington. Later in the year, the duo will join other Duke of Edinburgh gold award winners in officially receiving their medals at the same location.

Proudly watched by Mrs. Ruth Griffiths, Duke of Edinburgh Award advisor for the Bermuda Girl Guide Association -- and herself a gold medal winner -- Sara (16) and Raquel (17) have steadily climbed the pinnacle to reach this top award.

Among the many medals they sport are the Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver.

Sara has also earned the Baden-Powell Trefoil, Guiding's highest honour, and Raquel is currently working on her Queen's Guide badge.

And what does it take to win a Duke of Edinburgh gold medal? A great deal of dedication, discipline and hard work.

The award is a process of personal and social development, and competitors are required to meet challenges in four categories: community service, skills, physical recreation and expeditions.

Both Sara and Raquel continued active duty as Candy Stripers at the King Edward VII Hospital to complete their community service requirements. In fact, although the girls only needed 60 and 50 hours respectively, Raquel racked up 320 hours in her two years' service, while Sara accumulated over 200 hours for the same period.

When it came to skills, Sara pursued her flute studies, while Raquel spent a whole year cross-stitching a Christmas stocking.

To fulfill the physical recreation requirements, Raquel took up tennis, completing 18 hourly sessions with coach John Sinclair at Grotto Bay, while Sara completed 18 hours of swimming as a member of the Bermuda Sharks Club and also her school team at Warwick Academy.

But it was the expeditions section which brought the most adventure, and the greatest feeling of accomplishment.

Along with other Bermudians, the gold medal contenders joined an Outward Bound programme in Wales. Renowned for its toughness, it certainly gave the girls pause for thought, especially in the early stages.

"The first day we were issued with all our kit and equipment and then they took us away from the Centre on our first expedition with our leaders until we reached our base camp,'' Sara remembered.

This 50-mile hike was from Snowdonia to Aberdovey, during which participants were expected to find their way back to the Outward Bound Centre by map and compass reading. It proved tiring but not difficult -- thanks to a great deal of forward planning, route cards, judicious use of landmarks and a little help from friendly farmers.

Later, they were faced with a host of rugged activities: abseiling, kayaking, rock climbing and rock jumping among them.

The challenges were many, some even frightening, and not without an element of danger. All were planned to test the mettle of the participants as individuals.

Over the next two weeks and three days, the girls would have many opportunities to question their inner selves. More than once they said to themselves: "I can't do this.'' Among the most vivid memories Raquel and Sara retain in their quest for gold was being left all alone in a Welsh forest for four days with nothing but a tarpaulin, an apple, orange, hunk of cheese, piece of cake and a small canteen of water.

To all intents and purposes, each individual was completely isolated from the other, and it was up to them to find their own way back to civilisation.

"This segment came half way through the course, by which time we had collected our thoughts for the expedition. We had also received first aid, map reading and navigational training,'' Sara remembered.

The reality of being alone in the forest could have been the undoing of some, but for Raquel and Sara facing up to the situation was part of their training.

They knew it was a case of survival of the fittest, and they completed their mission successfully.

But that wasn't the only physically and mentally demanding aspect of the Bermudians' course. Others included cliff jumping, rock climbing, abseiling, and kayaking in rough water.

While nothing was forced on participants, peer pressure and self-pride meant that, with few exceptions, each challenge was undertaken.

Afraid of heights, Raquel enjoyed cliff jumping the least -- it involved falling approximately 30 feet into icy water, and at first rock climbing daunted her.

"I was really scared but I forced myself to do it, and when you come back you feel so unafraid. It's amazing. They say once you do Outward Bound you can do anything,'' she noted.

Kayaking presented its own challenges, and here Raquel had to overcome a real fear of being stuck in the boat while capsizing in the swiftly moving waters.

For Sara, however, cliff jumping was a real thrill, and she very much enjoyed kayaking.

"It strengthens your character,'' Sara said. "Part of the challenge is keeping your morale high and keeping going. You know you'll be happy when you've finished.'' Gorge walking included slipping and sliding through rocks and through rivers wearing a helmet, wet suit and hiking boots.

While admitting that going for gold was not a challenge for the faint-hearted, both girls said that they would definitely recommend the Outward Bound course as a great experience.

"It puts you in touch with yourself, and it teaches you self-reliance,'' Sara said.

"I learned that I could take more risks than I did before,'' Raquel said. "I would recommend it because of the challenge. It really causes you to challenge yourself.'' This experience, coupled with all they have learned in the Brownies and Girl Guides movements, and now the Rangers, will stand them in good stead throughout their lives, the girls assured.

"You get all your basis for life from it,'' Sara said. "I know so many things that I would otherwise not have known. And it has also built up my personality.'' Of the Duke of Edinburgh gold award, Mrs. Griffiths said: "It is not only character building but also a reference when young people go to university. It proves they have staying power and are fine, upstanding citizens. It is not only educational but says something about the people themselves.'' PURE GOLD! -- Mrs. Ruth Griffiths (centre), Duke of Edinburgh Award advisor to Bermuda Girl Guide Association, proudly poses at Government House with the latest Gold awardees, Raquel Emery (left) and Sara Mancell (right).