Lela Sujani, 17, is Deputy Head Girl at CedarBridge Academy, has already been accepted into five universities and has been on the honour role for the majority of her scholastic career.

Lela, an S4 student, is also an avid artist, a member of the national honour society, a cello player, peer-mentor and has a grade-point average of 3.81 out of a possible four.

Having applied to nine universities in the US and Canada, Lela has already received acceptance into five and is waiting to hear from the rest.

St. John's University in New York, St. Francis Xavier in Nova Scotia, the University of Tampa in Florida, Acadia University and Mount Allison both in Canada – all want Lela to be part of their campus.

Now, Lela who says that she wants to study international business just has to choose which school will suit her best – and try to scrape the money together to pay for the expensive tuition fees.

"I want to major in international business and marketing," said Lela. "I hope to eventually go back to Indonesia – where my family is from – to help build upon the international business there.

"Living in Bermuda I have seen the positive impact that international business has had on this country and it's young people so I hope to go to Indonesia to do what I can to help a third world country."

Lela's parents are both Indonesian and while she was born in Bermuda, the Island's residency laws render her ineligible for Bermudian status.

So, despite her high grades, the fact that she was born on the Island, has spent her entire life living in Bermuda and has been educated in Bermuda's Government schools – Lela cannot get the scholarship money that she needs to pay the up to $40,000 in tuition fees that many universities require.

Because, on paper, she is not Bermudian, the countless scholarship awards granted by local businesses and others do not apply to her although her many scholastic, artistic and extra-curricular achievements qualify her for many of them.

Lela is also an artist. She recently earned an A grade on her GCSE art exam and Anthony Wade, Deputy Principal at CedarBridge describes her as "an amazingly talented young artist".

Her portraits and paintings currently decorate a large section of the school's art centre and one of her eye-catching and detailed Georgia O'Keeffe inspired charcoal portraits greets visitors to the CedarBridge's main office.

"I absolutely love art and have done since I was in Primary school," she said. "Right now using charcoal is my favourite medium but I like using pastels, oils and acrylics as well."

And on top of academics and art, the Southampton resident also finds the time to play the cello.

"I play for the Menuhin Foundation's Youth Orchestra and sometimes I play with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra. I have been playing the cello since I was eight but when I first started I actually wanted to play the violin. Somehow I was convinced that the cello would be more fun so that is how I got started in music."

Lela credits her parents with pushing her to work hard and be successful and her musical and artistic endeavours with helping her build confidence.

"My parents are my support system," she said "I can go to them for anything. But, at the same time, they have taught me to be independent and do things for myself."

She added: "Music and art have taught me to think outside of the box and be more creative. Also it has definitely helped me build self confidence and become a better public speaker."

As Peer Mentor Lela has two younger students that she spends several hours a week with – providing them with advice, friendship and help with homework.

And although she has achieved much for her young age, there is one area where Lela says that she could improve.

"I wish I was athletic," she said. "But I will stick with the arts – that is my comfort zone."

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