running a business called Young Enterprises.

"The business started as a project with eight other students from my accounts class,'' she explained. "I liked doing it so I continued.'' The fifth-year student said the business involved making and selling candy, Christmas baskets, and cosmetic baskets.

Zephyra hopes to make a career in business administration some day and plans to go to college in the US after she finishes high school.

She described herself as active, respectful, open-minded and said she enjoyed talking on the phone and spending time with her friends.

In addition to playing the piano in her spare time, Zephyra has also found time for politics. She is a junior member of the Progressive Labour Party's youth wing and has volunteered around the political party's office, doing computer work and photocopying.

Other than wanting to see a change in Government, Zephyra said she would also like to see improvements to the Island's education system.

"I feel that the way teachers act and carry themselves should be different and that they should respect the kids more,'' she said.

"I also don't like the idea of the mega school (at Prospect). I think it will make trouble. There won't be any more activities like inter-school sports.

"And there will be more interruptions because there are so many people. I don't think it will be a good learning environment.'' Zephyra admitted that she believed Bermudian youth generally had a problem with disrespect. But she said she did not think they were entirely to blame.

"The teachers and adults that are guiding them don't have respect either,'' Zephyra said. "All the youth see is disrespect.'' But she stressed that it was important for youths to "pay attention to their education''.

The diligent student said she also looked up to Sandys Secondary's deputy principal Shirley White, because "no matter what, she always accepts me for myself and lets me know I have people there for me. She always pushes me ahead.'' Zephyra also credited her family for being her role models.

"They have been through a lot of things and have stuck together,'' she said, adding that she particularly admired her mother.

"She is strong and looks for the good in people,'' Zephyra explained. "And even though she has to struggle, she looks ahead to the future. She also looks out for her children and isn't afraid to work hard.'' If given a ticket to travel anywhere in the world, Zephyra said she would visit Africa because of her ancestry.

"I would like to see how my ancestors lived,'' she said, "and to see if the people there are struggling as much as they say on the news.'' INTERVIEW BY KRISTY WARREN ZEPHYRA GIBBONS