week enjoying a trip to Rhode Island, where he is participating in the World Scholar-Athlete Games.

The event, which started on Sunday and runs until July 2, involves some 2,200 scholars from 125 countries, competing in sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, sailing, swimming, track and field and volleyball.

Burgess, who will be missing from his graduation ceremony at Warwick Academy today because of the trip, will be one of the goalkeepers in the soccer tournament.

He plays locally for Wolves, whom he helped reach the final of the FA Cup for the first time last year and is also a member of the National Youth Squad.

Despite his sporting committments, which also includes track and field, Burgess still maintained top grades while at Warwick Academy.

Burgess, who was recommended for the Games by Clint Smith of the Department of Education, has had all his expenses paid through sponsorship from Air Canada, who provided the airline ticket, the Department of Tourism and an international company.

Showing maturity beyond his 16 years, Burgess chose to travel to Rhode Island by himself. He is also due to attend college in the fall.

"He didn't want anybody to go with him,'' said his mother, Anternette. "I was concerned about him transferring in Toronto to Boston but he said he wanted to do it by himself. It really impressed me.'' To have been nominated for the Denton Hurdle Memorial Awards -- there were four winners from 35 nominations -- a student needed to display qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship, self-discipline, determination, dedication, cooperation and be considered a good role model.

"I always instilled in him `I can' and that has stayed with him from when he was young,'' said Anternette Burgess. "He even tells kids that whatever they do, do to the best of their ability. He calls that his motto. I'm very proud, he's come a long way.'' DENTON HURDLE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP AWD