Paul Dyer was the first student from The Berkeley Institute to be awarded the ‘special tie' for being accepted into a university abroad, in the S4 honours assembly on Friday, January 7th.Mrs Sandra Burrows, the Deputy Principal, and Mr Brenton Burgess, Head of Guidance and Student Services, got the idea from an article about “Urban Prep Academy”, which is an all-male African American high school in Chicago. Every student at that school got accepted into four-year colleges and universities, and their acceptance letters created the fantastic thought of exchanging their red school ties for a priceless red and gold tie.Principal Mrs Michelle Simmons awarded Paul the creative green tie with gold Berkeley crests to acknowledge his great accomplishment. His reaction was shocked, yet humble. He said: “I felt honoured and surprised. It was very unexpected. I did not think when I raised my hand, that I was going to be the only one in the S4 assembly to have been accepted in a university or college overseas.”Paul got the award for being accepted into New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island for the Fall Quarter of 2011.He will being entering a programme leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Technology with Renewable Energy Resources.Paul also said that once he received his acceptance letter, he had to remember: “Even though I have been accepted to the university, I still have to focus on finishing the rest of the school year.”Paul Dyer is an example of what hard work and dedication can get you. His efforts are a reflection of how the graduating class of The Berkeley institute feel about their education.