ready to listen and is not too shy to express herself.

The 16-year-old senior attended Francis Patton Primary School before receiving a scholarship to BHS.

Burgess, whose favourite subjects are French, music and English, advises other young people to "never give up, always keep your head high and strive for the best''.

The fifth year student believes a lack of interesting activities for young people is the greatest problem facing Bermuda today.

"It is leading to drugs and crime,'' she adds.

"We need to try to get the youth involved in more activities to channel their minds into more productive things,'' Keisha says.

Racism is the one thing Keisha wishes she could change about Bermuda.

"It's so strong, it's covered up more now but it still exists,'' she stresses. "If it could be changed, I think things would be so much better.'' Keisha says her parents and her friend, Zakiya Johnson, are her role models and the people who have most influenced her life so far.

She explains that her friend looked out for her, advised and encouraged her when she first started at BHS.

"She helped me become what I am now (head girl),'' Keisha says.

She also says her parents are always there for her.

"If I don't succeed in certain things, they still encourage me and keep me going,'' she explains.

If given a ticket to visit anywhere in the world, Keisha says she would visit Africa.

"To just study their culture and to be there would be great,'' she says. "It is such a pretty place.'' Keisha says she would also like to meet Oprah Winfrey, if ever given the chance.

"I think she's a role model for everyone. I would like to talk to her and get some advice,'' she adds.

During her spare time Keisha likes to dance, play the piano, shop and listen to music.

Her favourite food is spaghetti and meatballs. She enjoys playing netball, loves reggae and disco music and her favourite movies are Higher Learning and Dangerous Minds.

INTERVIEW BY NICOLE WILLIAMS KEISHA BURGESS