the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra and of a trio called True Reality. And he also does a little of his own composition on the side.

Apart from his involvement in music, Tarik is also a member of Youth to Youth and the Salvation Army Ministry.

Tarik, 18, is head boy at Saltus Grammar School where he is in his post graduate year. Geography is his favourite subject.

He is on the honour roll at school and has already been offered a place at university. He recently received the Teen Service Award.

Tarik wants to work in the field of environmental science either for the Government or at the Biological Station.

He said that he got his nickname, Twiggs, when he was attending Cub Scouts. He describes himself as being a mellow person who likes to keep a smile on his face and says that he doesn't like to complain.

Tarik has an older brother Oronde and a younger sister Stacee. He likes to play cricket and his favourite television show is Fresh Prince. He also loves a good piece of cassava pie.

If he was given an open plane ticket to anywhere in the world Tarik would go to Costa Rica.

" I made a lot of good friends and meet many different families while I was there on exchange I would like to see them again,'' he said.

The person that Tarik would most like to meet is Nelson Mandela.

"I admire how he set goals for himself, despite imprisonment and separation from his family he made sure that his dreams were accomplished.

This is seldom seen in history,'' he added.

Tarik says that the best day of his life was the day that he accepted the word of God into his life.

" Before I accepted God I didn't know where I was going, I was very confused.

I was caught up in what society was doing. That day I started on a whole new path and I have tried to stay on that path ever since. I have been blessed in the things that I have done as a result,'' Tarik added.

He believes that society's main problem is an increase in violence.

"Rather then building prisons, educational facilities should be built.

This would especially benefit troubled young people who need to be rehabilitated and reintroduced into society,'' he said.

He said that if more time had been devoted to the building of the National Stadium it could have been a great sports centre because it was in a central area and could have serviced a lot of youth. However, he said the main problem was that young people didn't take advantage of the facilities that were already available.

Tarik wishes that there were no economic barriers and that everyone, in spite of their economic state, would be able to take advantage of the wonderful things life has to offer.

INTERVIEW BY KRISTY WARREN