As a current senior student of The Berkeley Institute rapidly approaching graduation day I have finally come to ponder on what truly signifies a Berkeleyite.

Although I've always been proud to be a student of Berkeley, I have never actually tried to define a true Berkeleyite — until now.

So, what does it truly mean to be a Berkeleyite? Is it to wear the rich green and gold colours of our tie with pride? Is it to sing our school song with enthusiasm and vigour?

Is it to wake up each morning and look forward to a new and unique day at the 'big green building'?

No. To be a Berkeleyite is to have soul. Soul is what makes one the distinct person he or she is. It is to have a genuine love. It is to have raw affection, passion and heart. Without hesitation, I can say that Berkeleyites have soul.

When a group of people with soul come together, they create a dynamic family. When I say dynamic, I don't just mean a sugarcoated vibrant or vivacious, I mean exactly what I say — dynamic. We have the effect of a dynamite!

Every teenager wishes to attend the perfect, well-rounded high school.

I recall the time when it was my turn to decide which secondary school I wished to attend following my middle school education.

I had chosen Berkeley; however, I did not know why I had made that decision. I remember seeing something special about this school that I just couldn't put my finger on.

At the time I was clueless as to what was so 'special' about Berkeley but now I've come to realise that what I saw was soul.

I saw the soul that the Berkeley family had and I desperately wanted to experience it for myself.

In just the last four years that I've been at Berkeley, I have experienced immense transformations within our school family.

Although no words can truly justify the school spirit here, I would describe it as effervescing, animating, and pulsating with life and love all around.

For us, school is a second home and teachers are like second parents.

The administration and staff work selflessly to provide us with the best possible schooling.

They are the engineers of our souls; with their unconditional care and nurture, we would not be the budding flowers that we are. They constantly encourage us to broaden our understanding, sharpen our skills and acquire new knowledge.

Most of all, they help us to build upon our dreams, all the while reminding us that the sky is the limit.

Never in my life have I seen a more committed and willingly group of teachers than the ones at The Berkeley Institute. I can easily brag that they have been highly successful in instilling the right values in us.

I can hear some of your thoughts already: "Well, I don't think Berkeley is that great" and "My knowledge of the school is nothing like what you say it is".

I can honestly say that no one will really understand what it means to be a Berkeleyite unless you are or have been a part of this family at one point or another.

Many people view our school from the outside looking in and automatically make false assumptions.

However, for those of us that are on the inside, experiencing the Berkeley atmosphere, it's a completely different story.

Sure, we have some students who decide to stray from the values which the school has taught them and in turn ruin the name of the school for everyone — but doesn't every school have students like these?

I can assure you that these students will not leave Berkeley without having had the vital values instilled in them once and for all. It's impossible to have attended The Berkeley Institute and leave without being a renewed person.

When people ask me what school I go to, I always answer, "The Berkeley Institute". I suppose I could just say "Berkeley" but identifying my school by its official title simply makes me swell with pride.

I thank God for blessing me with this dynamic school family. I'm beyond proud to be a part of the Berkeley Family and even prouder to be called Berkeleyite.

So, the next time you try to define a true Berkeleyite, remember — it's one who has soul.