The Berkeley Institute has always prided itself on the successes of its students. So every year, when the time comes to choose its student leaders, the staff chose an admirable pair. The Principal, Michelle Simmons, along with her colleagues, choose a senior boy and girl who have not only lived up to the school's legacy but, more importantly, have displayed what it is to be a true "Berkeleyite". These two well-rounded young people, who contribute to The Berkeley Institute and Bermuda's community, are considered representative of the student body.

The Head Boy and Head Girl of The Berkeley Institute in 2009 are Aden Peets and Alexa Lightbourne. The pair has an enormous number of duties and responsibilities as the school's leaders. As Head Prefects Aden and Alexa must organise prefect meetings as well as school events such as Berkeley's annual prefect induction ceremony that was held on March 2; oversee the duties of other prefects; and relay information in assemblies.

The position was not just handed to these admirable teens. There was a four-step process that they had to complete in order to be chosen for such an honourable position, beginning with the application process. Applicants must answer a series of questions, the answers to which provide the basis for which one can be short-listed

Then follows a panel discussion of all prefects and head girl and boy applicants. At this meeting the deputies used a rubric to rate each student on how they contributed to the discussion, based on a topic given at the beginning of the meeting.

Short-listed applicants are then interviewed further and asked questions. The answers provided in this process distinguish the winning candidate from the rest.

In accepting their appointment, the chosen head girl and head boy give acceptance speeches outlining what they will do as head girl/head boy to improve the Berkeley Institute.

Just as the selection process is demanding, the ability to maintain the position is a challenge as well. In order to maintain the position of head boy and head girl of the Berkeley Institute, Aden and Alexa must demonstrate standards of excellence in academics and behaviour. They must ensure that whatever they do both in school and out of school meets the standards that represent The Berkeley Institute.

Aiden has been a prefect since his S3 year, so the duties of a prefect were not foreign to him when he was chosen as head boy. School life hasn't changed much for him, however now, he explained: "My 'want' to be a role model for the younger students at Berkeley has increased."

Explaining why he applied for the position, he noted: "I wanted to make a difference in my school by being a role model for the males. Also I wanted to enhance my confidence, self-esteem, leadership and public speaking skills. I feel that being head boy has enabled me to accomplish these personal goals of mine."

Asked if he believed his appointment had made the position appealing to potential head boys, he replied, "Yes I do feel that I have made the position an appealing one. Usually boys are not as motivated to excel at school compared with girls. I feel that I have made this position stand out to potential head boys not just because I am academically inclined, although it is admirable, but more so because I'm an active member of the Berkeley Community."

For Alexa, her appointment has meant that she is more conscious of how she carries herself. "As a school leader," she pointed out, "all eyes are on you. Unfortunately people often look for others to fall. However, I make sure that I maintain my dignity as a leader and represent myself as a respectable Berkeleyite at all times."

Being head girl of The Berkeley Institute was Alexa's goal right from the day that she entered Berkeley as an S1 student. As time went on, she began to see herself more and more as a leader, and this was an excellent way to make a contribution to her school. She also wanted to be a spokesperson for her peers. "I have learned that leadership is definitely one of my strengths," she explained

And her impact on the perception of the role itself? Alexa believes that she has made the position more appealing to other Berkeley head girls because she sees herself as an all-rounder. She elaborated: "Sometimes the tendency is to think that the head girl should be the student who has the highest grades. I have maintained honours status during all of my years at Berkeley even although I do not have a 4.0 average.

"I have shown potential head girls that it is important to learn how to balance extra curricular activities with academic studies because that is what are expected of you in the real world.

"I have studied hard and I have made many contributions to my school and to the community. To me leadership is not all about academics. It is about being able to do many things effectively, and I believe that I have done that successfully. I see myself as a trailblazer for other young girls to follow."