Thirty-seven young people have made a positive change in their lives and graduated from Government's Mirrors Programme.

The teens, aged 15 to 18, began the mentoring programme aimed at personal development and youth empowerment last November.

They attended a completion ceremony on Saturday night at Berkeley Institute after completing a nine-week enrolment, a six-day residential and follow-through component.

Neletha Butterfield, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, said at the event: "Tonight we celebrate the completion of a choice made by these young men and women whom in November 2009 took full advantage of the opportunity that the Government offered for their own personal development.

"Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life (said) Herbert Otto.

"As Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation it has been my pleasure to have witnessed the achievements and growth of this cohort over the course of their nine-month participation in the Mirrors Programme. It always warms my heart to see young people striving for excellence."

According to Tory Darrell, the assistant coordinator, the ceremony "was very powerful" and gave some of the young people the chance to showcase their talents and abilities. A group of young people sang 'Up for Love' and Beyonce's 'Save the Hero'; while Claire Lee DeCouto gave her rendition of 'Lean on Me'.

Mr. Darrell said the programme gave some of the young people support to better their relationships with adults or improve their grades.

"They got tired of people referring to Mirrors participants as troubled teens. They are just young people, a couple of the young people are honour role students and were looking for opportunities.

"(The ceremony) was extremely emotional because (myself) and the Mirrors' team members love to see young people succeed."

It was the fifth cohort, and initially one of the largest groups — starting with 41 young people.