Timmel, a 14-year-old honours student at the Bermuda High School.

"People don't listen to each other enough, and are not open-minded to other countries and cultures. We all need to listen more and be more open-minded.

Karina, who has experienced quite a few cultures herself, was born in Singapore and lived there for four years. She later moved with her family to the Phillipines where she lived for three years before moving to New York.

She moved to Bermuda three years ago.

In that short span of time, Karina has managed to latch on to several hobbies, including swimming, debating, singing in the school choir, playing tennis, and dancing.

She performed in the Jackson School's dance recital last week, doing jazz, tap and ballet.

Karina, the form leader of her class, describes herself as a happy person, a good friend and fun to be with.

She aspires to be an interior designer, news reporter or television anchor woman.

Among her role models she lists her parents, Christa and Manfred Timmel.

"My parents are always there for me,'' she said. "I can talk to them about anything and as long as I do my best they are happy.'' Besides her parents and her 21-year-old brother Derick, the people who have influenced her life are her teachers Mrs. Greta O'Kelly Lynch and Mrs. Sian James.

"They teach so well, relate to the students and they make you feel you have really accomplished something when you have. They inspire me to learn and to achieve the best that I can.'' Karina also advises young people to be themselves, not to give in to peer pressure, and to accept everyone individually for what they are.

However, Karina said if she could change one thing about Bermuda, it would be to have more gatherings for all the public to get together like the Agricultural Exhibition.

Karina says she would have loved to have met Audrey Hepburn.

"She was a brilliant person, a television star, and did so much for children and community service,'' Karina noted.

When asked where she would like to travel if given an open ticket, she said: "Bali, because it seems like such a dream place. I've read about it in the National Geographic and it's unlike anywhere I've been.'' INTERVIEW BY STEPHANIE HENDERSON KARINA TIMMEL