Bermuda's youth might have its problems ? but not compared to Genelle Guzman-McMillan who, moments after the first plane hit the towers on 9/11, found herself buried under millions of tonnes of rubble.

Yet Mrs. Guzman-McMillan, who feared she would die as she was trapped in an air pocket for 26 hours, hopes her message can save troubled Island youngsters from violence.

She helped launch the "Triumph Over Tragedy ? Voices of Hope" initiative for Bermuda yesterday which aims to take positives out of America's two most recent tragic events? the Columbine High School shootings of 1999 and 9/11.

She will return to Bermuda for a third anniversary concert tribute to the victims of the World Trade Center Disaster and all victims of violence, to be held at the National Sports Centre on September 4, 2004 featuring the 250-voice, five-time Grammy-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and a personal address by Mrs. Guzman-McMillan, one of the last people rescued alive from the twin towers.

She will also join in on visits to Bermuda's Middle and High Schools in October alongside survivors of the Columbine High School shootings of 1999 to promote Chain Reaction Bermuda.

Chain Reaction, also known as Rachel's Challenge was founded by the father of Rachel Scott ? one of the victim's of the Columbine High School shooting.

Its aim is to disarm bullying and violence in schools by promoting kindness. Rachel believed simple acts of compassion could start a "chain reaction" that would change her generation.

Ironically she was killed by Columbine students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, along with eleven others, in revenge for teasing and bullying at school.

Mrs. Guzman-McMillan said her life had changed since 9/11 and from being a wild child she has found God but now she hopes her message can calm those tempted to gang violence.

She said: "I was their age and lived that life. I am different. My life could have been taken on September 11. They should listen to my testimony and do what's right."

Pastor Simons, who is a member of the International Board of Rachel's Challenge, said: "This is a message Bermuda needs to hear more than ever, especially in the wake of events like Wellington Oval and increasing violence among young people in our community.

"We hope the whole community will be uplifted by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's wonderful music and moved by Genelle's story to be kinder to each other."

"Violence and bullying in schools is a concern for everyone in our community as it directly impacts on the future of our children and society as a whole.

Chain Reaction was first introduced to Bermuda in September 2000 when Rachel's brother Craig and other Columbine students visited six schools and spoke to more than 3,000 Bermudian students, 98 percent of whom accepted the Challenge.

Pastor Simons said: "We encourage all public and private schools to take advantage of this opportunity to start a Chain Reaction among their students and to help maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to learning in a safe school environment."

In endorsing Chain Reaction Bermuda, Premier Alex Scott stated: "We are so blessed to live in a country like Bermuda but events such as the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Fabian bring home to us that even in the middle of the Atlantic, we are not immune from the pain, suffering and loss of life that we can sometimes take for granted as being part of someone else's reality."

Pastor Simons said the tribute concert on September 4 will also remember the Bermudian families affected by 9/11 and all Bermudian families affected by loss of life, including those lost in Hurricane Fabian.

Tickets for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir concert are priced $70 ($40 for seniors and children under 12) and will be available from next week from the following locations:

All CellularONE locations

Esso Automart at Collector's Hill, Smith's

The Fairmont Southampton Princess

The Christian Bookstore

Foreign Cargo,

Jamaican Grill, Court Street, Hamilton

All Talk St. George's

Online at www.megawatts.bm/TicketStation

Schools interested in taking part in Chain Reaction Bermuda should contact the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship at 295-9640.