The cream of Bermuda?s young literary talent gathered at Camden yesterday as Premier Alex Scott handed out the prizes in the ninth annual Tom Pettit Thanksgiving Essay Competition.

Three hundred youngsters from schools across the Island had entered the competition, which was set up by Patricia Pettit in 1997 in memory of her late husband Tom, an award-winning NBC journalist who lived briefly in Bermuda.

The winning entry was penned by 15-year-old Pierre Smith, a CedarBridge Academy student who wrote a moving account of his love for his mother Sharon Smith, who has brought him and his older brother up as a single parent.

Entitled ?Why I am Thankful,? the essay told how his mother is the love of his life, and how grateful he is for her generosity with her time.

?One of the most important things parents can do for their children is just be there,? wrote Pierre, from Pembroke.

In a year that saw a record number of entries, he beat off stiff competition from fellow finalists Catherine Finsness, 14, and Jessica Lewis, 12, both from the Bermuda High School for Girls, Suzanne Kipps, 16, of Mount St. Agnes Academy, and fellow CedarBridge student Christina Outerbridge, 17, all of whom were given Commendation of Excellence certificates and $500 grants.

All of the entrants had written on the themes of family life and the beauty of Bermuda and many of their proud relatives packed the room for the prizegiving ceremony.

Speaking after finding out that he landed the $1,000 first prize grant, Pierre, who wants to become a gym teacher, said: ?I am speechless. I was up against some good contestants.?

His proud mother Sharon, 50, who won the Mother of the Year Award in 2001 thanks to a letter written by Pierre?s brother Gorde, now 16, said: ?I am delighted, and very proud.?

Speaking about the importance of the essay competition, Premier Alex Scott commented: ?This event is about the best and brightest young people and we know that our future is safe because they represent the young folks who are doing good.?

Judges for the competition included Dr. Charles Green, President of Bermuda College, Bob Amesse, Deputy Editor of , and Senior Reporter Meredith Ebbin of The Bermuda Sun.