Outstanding Teen Awards Programme.

The programme recognises and pays tribute to teens from all secondary schools on the Island, both public and private.

The programme not only recognises academic excellence but also excellence in eight other varied categories including sport, leadership, community service, spiritual leadership, performing arts, most progress, incentive and special recognition.

Students for each of the nine categories are nominated by their school, church or youth organisation, and they are interviewed by peers who are themselves chosen from student volunteers Island-wide.

Although each student panel has an adult facilitator, the selection of the successful candidate is solely determined by the student panels.

The awards programme has in the past depended solely on small contributions from a number of businesses in the community, but this year the department of Youth, Sport and Recreation totally funded the programme.

This year's winner of the Outstanding Overall award was Catherine Hay of Saltus Grammar School, who was described by her teachers as "a student of extremely solid academic ability who adopts a very positive serious approach to work, highly motivated to reach goals and who is destined for a most worthwhile university experience.'' Catherine is not only head girl of Saltus but an excellent student with nine passes in IGCSE /GCSE, six of which were A's.

She also finds time for sport, string orchestra, charity work with handicapped children, she is a member of the youth parliament and is involved in St.

Theresa's church.

Other award winners included John Allen from CedarBridge Academy, Sarah Tucker from Berkeley Institute, Derek Lambe from CedarBridge Academy, Davana Thomas from CedarBridge Academy, Frankco Harris from Berkeley Institute, Samantha DeCouto from Warwick Academy, Sergio White from CedarBridge Academy, Janice Mullings from Bermuda Institute, Bruno Teixeira from Warwick Academy, Liam Anderson from Berkeley Institute, Kylah Allers from Bermuda Institute, Byron Walker from CedarBridge Academy, Christie Hunter from Bermuda High School, Ryan Nesbitt from Berkeley Institute, Danice Mapp from Bermuda Institute, Jonathan Herring from Saltus Grammar School, Roy Richardson from Berkeley Institute, Nishanti Bailey from Berkeley Insitute, and Rebecca Faulkenberry of Bermuda High School.

Well done: The recipients of the 18th Outstanding Teens Awards are pictured after the ceremony. In the centre of the photograph is Catherine Hay, who won the "Outstanding Overall'' prize. She is head girl of Saltus and also works with handicapped children, as well as being a member of the Youth Parliament.

Youngsters won awards in nine categories in the programme, which was funded by the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation.