attributed her success to a firm Christian foundation.

The 16-year-old Whitney Institute student told The Royal Gazette she was overwhelmed and speechless when she beat out a handful of the Island's other outstanding teenagers on Saturday night.

But there was no doubt the Teen Services award had youngsters like Cherie in mind when it was created.

The fifth-year honour student has managed to keep good grades in addition to fitting a list of activities -- from golf to playing the saxophone -- into her busy schedule.

Cherie began ballet dancing at the tender age of five. And shortly after this she also took up golf.

Involved in the Bermuda Junior Golf Association, she has played the sport frequently for the last six years.

Cherie said her love for a variety of music and the challenge of playing a unique instrument spurred her on to play the saxophone in her first year at high school.

By her third year she was playing the E-flat horn at school and in the Salvation Army band.

Her performance in music was awarded last year when she won Whitney's Director's Award for Outstanding Musicianship and Dedication to the Music Department.

That was just one of several awards won by the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital candy striper.

In 1991, Cherie received the Duke of Edinburgh bronze medal. And last summer she visited Wales as a part of Outward Bound.

She has also found time to co-ordinate Youth to Youth's Friday meetings at the Bermuda College and indulge in her favourite hobbies -- art and cross-stitching.

Asked how she finds the time to do it all, Cherie said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me''.

"I love being busy,'' she added, "because it gives me no time to get in trouble.'' Cherie's parents Mr. John Richardson and his wife Bette said their daughter has always given 100 percent in everything she does and is always willing to help others.

Watching Cherie receive the award, Mrs. Richardson said she recalled that this was the child that she took out of private school after four years because teachers did not think she was progressing.

BRIGHT OUTLOOK -- Whitney Institute honour student, Cherie Richardson, is Bermuda's Teen of the Year.