continued its battle against negative publicity about today's youth.

They did this by recently awarding six students for improvements in their academic performances.

YouthNet president Cornell Fubler and public relations officer Rosette Richardson presented plaques to John Rawlins of Sandys Secondary, Amanda Wright of Northlands, Shuaib Worrell of Berkeley Institute, Vinnette Douglas of St. George's Secondary, Janae Outerbridge of Whitney Institute, and Veleka Eve, of Warwick Secondary, who were found to be the most improved in their graduating classes.

The plaque, acknowledging the improvement of academic performance, was given to one student from each of the public schools.

YouthNet started up last September and has introduced various programmes to high schools focusing on getting kids to graduate from high school and to succeed while doing so.

For example, they recently instituted a mentorship programme where successful members of the community -- such as Sherwin Richardson, Terri-Lynn Berkeley and Chyvaugn Joell -- visit schools to talk and spend time with the students.

Janae told the The Royal Gazette she "just didn't care about school last year''. But through YouthNet, she said, she did her work this year and was proud to be recognised.

Amanda said: "This year my grade point average went up because I wanted to graduate, and to graduate I had to change my ways.'' Shuaib attributed his improvement in school to some of the changes made by principal Michelle Gabisi at Berkeley Institute.

"By removing some of the bad influences from the school, I had nothing to hold me back,'' he said.

John, who had a 0.9 grade point average in his first year in high school, said he had drastically turned his academic career around.

"I really didn't understand the importance of education,'' said the Sandys Secondary graduate. "I was failing and I didn't really notice or take the time to realise how that would affect me.'' John said it took him a year of living in Ohio to realise the importance of taking pride in his academics.

When he separated himself from Bermuda he could see the way that kids in Bermuda "follow each other'' in negative ways, he added.

John was so touched by his prize that he suggested that YouthNet be started at the primary level.

TENDERS SOUGHT FOR STATION POL Tenders sought for station Tenders are being sought for work to improve one of the `worst Police stations' seen by Commissioner Colin Coxall.

When Mr. Coxall arrived last year he inspected all the stations on the Island and said the Somerset building was one of the worst he had seen in his career.

Now general contractors are being invited to bid for the contract to refurbish and station. Work will include an internal extension and substantial renovation.

TOP STUDENTS -- These graduating students were recognised as the most improved academically in their secondary schools by the organisation YouthNet.

Pictured, at back from left to right, are YouthNet public relations officer Rosette Richardson, recipients Amanda Wright, John Rawlins and Shuaib Worrell.

In front, from left to right, are recipients Vinnette Douglas, Janae Outerbridge, and YouthNet president Cornell Fubler. Missing is Warwick Secondary student Veleka Eve.