The student council leaders at Mount Saint Agnes play an important and difficult role in the running of the school, but they say they are up to the challenge.

Led by the council's president, Kelly DeSilva, the group is responsible for disciplinary decisions and organises social events at the school. MSA does not have a head student system.

Other leaders in the school are; vice-president Lyndsay Taylor, treasurer Kee-Von Wade, and secretary Sarah Edelson.

"I wanted to give back to MSA, that's why I joined the student council,'' Kelly, 17, of Devonshire, said. "I've been at MSA my whole life and I feel a strong attachment. It's a strong challenge but I want to give back.'' She said the council enforces school rules, "even with friends'' which sometimes does not make them the most popular people in the school.

Adult advisors to the council play a role in administering discipline.

Vice-president Lyndsay Taylor said: "Basically, I just help Kelly. I do this because I like to work with people. We also bring to the administration's attention what my class wants and vice versa.'' Lyndsay, 17, from Paget, listed her interests as basketball and volleyball, soccer, and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. She is also a member of the Catholic Youth Mass.

Her classmate Kee-Von's responsibilities include tallying the amount of money raised after dances or fund raisers.

"I got involved in the student council because I like to be around people and because of that I find it hard to enforce the rules,'' Kee-Von, 17, of Sandys Parish said.

He added: "I do realise though, that these things have to be done. I don't want people to think that I have changed. I just want to make the school better.'' "I do flyers on my home computers and stuff like that.'' Kee-Von, who likes maths, history, and business management, added that he would encourage others to join similar organisations in their schools.

He added: "I would encourage them to join in their schools. Often people are afraid to voice their opinion. They have good ideas, and are good speakers.'' Sarah Edelson, the secretary for the student council, moved to Bermuda in recent years and had never been a part of a council before joining MSA's.

"I went over to the small school, and they look up to you. Everybody knows everybody,'' she said of her reasons for joining. "Plus, my parents encouraged me somewhat. I don't like to just stand around and complain. I want to make positive input.''