in sports -- is take part in next years Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 17-year-old Paget student, who is completing his post graduate year at Saltus Grammar School, plans to attend college although he is not yet sure which one.

Stephen describes himself as calm but admits that sometimes when he is playing sports he can get rather worked up.

"I can get a little hot tempered about things sometimes,'' he admits.

Stephen says one of the highlights of his swimming career to date has been "being able to qualify and compete in the Commonwealth Games''. He also says that being "given the chance to qualify for the Olympics next year '' is also quite an achievement for him.

Managing swimming and school work is not as difficult as many would think since swimming has taught him to manage his time efficiently, he says.

"The swimming helps me to manage my time so when I do my school work I can get it done in a set amount of time'' he explains. "It's not too difficult.'' Stephen received 10 A grades in his GCSEs last spring.

And he says he would advise any other young people to remember "as long as you do your best, be satisfied with what you accomplish''.

Other than swimming during his spare time, Stephen says he likes to play football and enjoys long distance running.

He says his role models are his parents and all the "people that have helped me in sports and academics''.

He adds that his parents are the two people who have influenced him the most.

"They never forced me to do things but always encouraged me to try different things,'' he explains. "They have always been supportive and behind me.'' Stephen admits that he is concerned about the increase in violence and would like to change that if he could.

He says he would try to show everyone "that violence will end up hurting tourism and in turn will hurt the community''.

Stephen, whose favourite subjects are maths and biology, says the way people treat each other is a major problem facing society in general today.

"A lot of people show hostility to others before they really know them,'' he notes, although he admits he could not think of a solution to help alleviate the problem.

Asked who he would like to meet if given the opportunity, Stephen says Winston Churchill. He explains that Churchill "was a great world leader''.

INTERVIEW BY NICOLE WILLIAMS STEPHEN FAHY