Kianna Simmons is not only the outstanding teen of the year, she has also been chosen the top student at Bermuda Institute.

Kianna, 17, is planning to purse a career specialising in paediatric surgery or trauma surgery -- with the intent on returning home to work as a general doctor.

She noted that her hope is that through her career she will make it easy for her "patients to respect me and for me to make them feel comfortable''.

The top student has maintained an A average in classes with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0.

A credit to her success was the recent win of overall top student by the Teen Services awards committee.

Appreciative of the award, Kianna said: "It lets us know we are not fighting a losing battle.'' "Community involvement plays the biggest part,'' she added.

Kianna is involved in numerous church activities at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. George's, including the family life committee which helps keep families involved.

She noted that its aim is "trying to keep stable families''.

Kianna added that the biggest challenge for students was keeping "focused and determined on what they need to do''.

She admitted that in Bermuda "people tend to feel that people owe them something''.

In such a rich society as Bermuda, work was most important whether it be through school or at a job, she pointed out.

"You have to put yourself in line to work,'' Kianna said. "Get the opportunity and learn from it. You have to put in the effort and time.'' "It is through giving that we receive,'' she added.

One of the biggest factors in her success has been her parents who she credits as being role models.

Speaking about her mother, Kianna said: "She does her best at everything.'' And she said her father often tells her "you don't have to answer to anyone, but yourself''.

But she gives the biggest thanks to God for the assistance in her life.

This coming fall Kianna will be attending Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where she will be focusing on her pre-med career.

Quoting one of her favourite Bible scriptures, she said: "I can do all things through Christ...'' (Philippians 4:13).