Students from across the Island were rewarded for being good citizens yesterday.

The Department of Child and Family Services chose to hold their award ceremony on the International Day of the Child.

Mario Swainson was nominated from Cedarbridge Academy for his service to his school and his community.

Mario is president of the Student Government Association and he helped co-ordinate the school?s massive response to help Hurricane Katrina victims. The school sent three containers filled with goods to New Orleans.

But Mario, who comes across as self-assured but humble, was more concerned about discussing his peers? positive contributions than his own achievements.

?All of the work was done outside of class time but students still showed up every morning, lunchtime and after school,? he said. ?It took three weeks to get all the work done but people were always there. It shows that we do care about people outside of Bermuda and want to do something to help them.?

Mario was also overwhelmed by the community?s response to the drive and said it was great to see that people support Cedarbridge.

Mario also organised a memorial assembly for former follow student Shellee Smith who died in a road traffic accident.

His teacher Mark Essay described him as mature, thoughtful and conscientious. He said Mario is well liked and respected by both the students and staff of his school.

Mario was just one of the students honoured for displaying humanitarian tendencies. A running theme throughout the event was that many of the students took time out to assist and befriend other students with disabilities.

Calton Tuzo, of Berkeley Institute, was described as warm and welcoming. In particular it was noted that he made it his personal mission to ensure a wheelchair-bound student got to every class. He became familiar with the equipment she used to navigate steps in order to assist her.

Rashon Darrell of Port Royal Primary was chosen by his school because he is always polite and forgives people who wrong him. He also helps his fellow students with their homework and went out of his way to include and befriend a mentally-challenged student.

Other students received awards ? which were handed out by Health Minister Patrice Minors ? because they are kind and fair.

The majority of the Bermuda High School for Girls? student body elected Emily Ross for the award saying she is empathetic and wise beyond her age.

They described Emily as a good listener, who respects every student.

Ho?Shun Richardson, of Heron Bay Primary, was commended for taking a stand against a student who was bulling another classmate and assisting his peers with their homework.

West End Primary?s nominee, Asha Hoyte, was described as compassionate. She frequently shares her lunch with classmates, always makes new students feel welcome and breaks up fights between her peers.

These were just a few of the 31 students awarded for their consideration for others and humanitarian qualities, a full list will be printed in December 1 issue of the Young Observer in

The event marked the International Day of the Child and Glenda Edwards, Supervisor of Child and Family Services, took time out to remind the audience that not every child is as lucky as those living in Bermuda.

?In Bermuda we have legislation to protect the rights of children and ensure they are not neglected, abused or exploited,? she said.

Mrs. Edwards told the audience that 600 million children live in abject poverty around the world and 121 million children are denied access to education.

She urged people to think about what Bermuda could do to help the UN meet its MillenniumGoals to end abject poverty and ensure primary education for all by 2015.

Mrs. Edwards also thanked the schools for their overwhelming response to the award ceremony and the students for exemplifying humanitarian qualities.