Weighted with the responsibility of The Berkeley Institute's heritage, Dominique Richardson and Aarian Lassalle, the school's current Head Girl and Head Boy, find it a privilege, not a burden. Continuing the Berkeley legacy is "a blessing, an honour" they both agreed.

Dominique described herself as: "A young student athlete looking to take advantage of every opportunity she's given." She sees her present position as a culmination of years of hard work as a student. The qualities that make her suitable for such a position include considerable self-confidence. "I'm a good role model," she explained. "I have a good head on my shoulders. I'm a leader; I don't follow the crowd."

Her colleague Aarian also believes: "I am up for the challenge of being a leader of a large student body." The challenge, as he sees it, is "setting the right example for my peers, showing people you don't have to be the same as everyone else, that you can stand out." He went on to say that: "At a young age I got over worrying what people thought of me. People's opinions can hold you back."

Of course, being in the last year of senior school, both young people are firmly focused on their education. "Education is whatever you make it," declared Aarian. "If you're serious about your work, you'll get it done."

Dominique is equally determined to achieve academic success: "I'm not seen as a nerd, but I get good grades. I can hang with a group of people who don't get good grades and encourage them to do their work, but I'm not seen as a geek." In addressing the issue of the "popular" culture, which seemed to be 'do little, care less', Dominique added, "At the end of the day, it's the people who do their work who are going across the stage while the others are in the bleachers looking on."

Outside the classroom Dominique is into sports, particularly netball, football and basketball, and on the creative side enjoys graphic design. In her spare time she helps coach a junior netball team, Whitney Institute's Young Guns, and plays Centre for the Lady Bluebirds in the Women's League.

"Church and music" pretty much sums up Aarian's life outside school. He plays percussion in a five-piece praise band at the New Testament Church of God, Miracle Temple. "I'm a professed Christian," he declared. "And I'm loud about it."

Asked about the challenges facing young people today, Dominique stated emphatically: "Violence definitely. And peer pressure."

"Young men are trying to fit in rather than being themselves," Aarian elaborated. "They're trying to fit in with their peers whom they see as popular."

Asked how they cope with these challenges, Aarian insisted he is "not afraid to stand up against what he thinks is wrong." He urged his peers to "be a voice against violence, to go against the grain of today's society." And in response to the recent violence at his school, he pointed out that it was unusual: "We had an awesome year up until that point."

Both he and Dominique felt that the key to dealing with peer pressure is "Just to be yourself."

"Don't be loved for someone you're not; better to be hated for someone you are," Dominique quoted.

She's also a person who's able to find the positive in any situation. "Not only am I serious in a way," she explained, "but I have the ability to make people laugh. I'm friendly with everybody – those who aren't doing well and those who are popular."

Above all, they agreed, taking advantage of the opportunities available, including scholarships, was the key to future success, a key they both have firmly grasped.