Erika Russell, age 22, is a remarkably successful young woman with athletic and intellectual gifts. She is in fact extraordinary! Oscar Wilde said: "Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.'' If anyone has those conditions it is Miss Russell who plays on Bermuda's National Football Team as centre mid-field, an important position which controls the attack and moderates the tempo of the game.

However, she is more than a talented and dedicated football star who plays on the `Rude Girls' Devonshire team, she is a teacher with two degrees at Berkeley Institute.

She attended Berkeley as a high school student and says the school did an excellent job preparing her for sports and academics in college.

She first took an interest in sports around age three when she began karate with her seven-year-old brother, Vaughn.

Since then sports have been a focal point in her life and she has always been playing sports and dancing.

"I have had so much encouragement in my life. Cal Simon, head of Bermuda Pacers, Beverly Brock, former physical education teacher, and Suzette Harvey, head of Bermuda National Dance have been my mentors and helped me to excel and be my best.

"It was how they related to me and people around me, they pushed me. They set the examples and I tried to please them. They treated their students with respect.'' She attributes Beverly Brock has having the first serious impact on her.

"She demanded the best and pushed me to my limits. She believed in my hard work and determination.

"I could never leave out my mother either, who has always been supportive, encouraging, and nurturing. We are best friends and share a wonderful relationship,'' she said.

Miss Russell feels honoured to play on the National Football Team.

She said: "There is so much talent in Bermuda. The unfortunate thing, from a national perspective, is that we are behind before we begin due to lack of monies and exposure.'' She represented Bermuda in the Bahamas and Haiti last year.

They defeated the Bahamians and although they lost to the Haitians it was a positive experience to compete against a stronger team.

When asked if her football achievement was a long-term dream she said: "I have evolved, as I have always been an athlete. I played club soccer/football and I went to college on a partial soccer scholarship to Thomas College of Maine.'' She has always been driven and has an innate desire to work and train hard in all endeavours.

While in the US she received accolades of soccer success and one of the most outstanding awards she received was that of becoming an `All American' soccer player.

Additionally she received special recognition by being a `Scholar Athlete', meaning above a `B' average.

She also made the Umbro All Team Select Player and All Conference.

While achieving all of these soccer awards she also managed to obtain two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Marketing Management and Sports Management.

"I encourage other young girls to participate in athletics. It is an opportunity to acquire physical and social skills, to work together as a team.

It teaches goal setting, commitment, dedication and discipline.

"If you are active in sports there is a less chance of doing drugs and other negative activities, as your free time is limited. You may get to travel and meet other talented people,'' she explained.

Miss Russell has set her sights on obtaining dual Master Degrees in Education and Psychology from Georgia State University, Atlanta, fall of this year.

One of her major dreams for the future is creating an inspirational and motivational institution for preteen and teenagers in Bermuda.

"I would like to be involved with a centre that offers school tutoring, games, dance and karate for our youth.

"Hopefully it would be a fun place where young people could relax, enjoy, and maybe discover talents within,'' she said.

When this charismatic Berkeley teacher was asked about the best thing about being her age she flashed a generous smile and responded: "I have accomplished a lot for my young age and I have many future goals.

"As a teacher I relate well to young people because I am young. There is a world ahead of me and I'm limitless!'' A born winner: Erika Russell, age 22, is one of Bermuda's most accomplished young person. She is a star football player who is a dedicated teacher at Berkeley Institute.