The Island's top linguistic students have been rewarded for their studies by an international organisation promoting French culture. The Bermuda branch of L'Alliance Francais has presented English/French dictionaries to the best Year One French students in every school.

The prizes were donated by the charity last week at a special ceremony attended by Education Minister Tim Smith and Sen. Yvette Swan, Minister for Cultural Affairs. The organisation contacted each school and asked teaching staff to name the best student. The society also raises cash to send a senior student to a French-speaking country each year. L'Alliance Francais President Noemie Rattray said: "I think it's important that our students learn a foreign language -- the world is becoming an increasingly smaller place. You also have companies which have offices all over the place, particularly in Europe, so it's useful.'' The winning students are: Chris Finsness and Vashun Blanchette from Saltus Junior School, Rosita Bassett, Angela Brangman, Rhea Prevenido and Chinue Pitcher from Berkeley Institute, Jiana Caldwell, Justin Lavigne and Ryan Swan from Warwick Academy, Courtney Burland and Emily Banks from Bermuda High School for Girls, Vinisha Saltus, Sheena Chelmondely, Anton Gilbert, Ramika Lambe and Damon Swan from the Middle School at Sandys and Kylah Allers, Vandyke Bean, Lauren Simmons, Rebekah Darrell and Calvina Simons from the Bermuda Institute.