After 40 years of working in schools across the Island one woman has been awarded the Queen?s Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Persis Butler could not believe it when she was told that she had been included in the 2007 Queen?s New Year?s Honours List. She said: ?I was surprised and shocked to receive one because there are so many others out there who deserve them. I still don?t know who nominated me or why I was chosen.?

Mrs. Butler has taught at Purvis Primary, Northlands Primary, Gilbert Institute, Southampton Glebe and Prospect Primary. She said teaching is a rewarding profession and she has enjoyed imparting her knowledge of the Island?s younger generations, often through songs.

She used to create songs because she found students could remember facts and lessons better if the information was presented in a fun way.

She said: ?I see so many students who have now grown up and they tell me they teach their children the songs. And other students who have gone on to be teachers invite me to come into their classrooms and teach their students the songs.?

Mrs. Butler was one of five Bermudians who were awarded the Queen?s Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Another, Leon Herbert, will preside over his final service at the First Church of God in Somerset this Sunday after 52 years as a pastor. He too has no idea who nominated him for the honour. He said: ?I believe I am the longest serving pastor on the Island. It was a rewarding experience and it was a great change in my life to lead the church.?

Over the last five decades Pastor Herbert, 77, has seen people enter the church as children and go on to raise families.

He said: ?We have built a good community at our church over the years. I have certainly been blessed and have seen God do some tremendous things.?

Verna Paulette Bean, 64, spent two decades organising Senior?s Week before it was incorporated into the Department of Community Affairs.

She said: ?I used to organise it for the Department and we would have a ceremony and picnics and church services to recognise seniors on the Island.?

Her service to the community has also taken her around the world as part of the Bethel AME Church?s Laymen?s Organisation.

Nurse Liz Boden was recognised for her efforts to help asthma sufferers as the founder of the charity Open Airways.

Open Airways has helped train hundreds of medical professionals as well as developing public education programmes to improve quality of life.

?I?m not really an awards or prizes type of person. I have an amazing job and work with amazing people,? said Mrs. Boden, from Smith?s. She is particularly proud that the rate of asthma-related hospital admissions has dropped by 73 percent in Bermuda in the decade since the charity began. This is compared to just five percent in the UK ? and a rising rate in the US.

After paying tribute to the team effort that has helped achieve this, Mrs.. Boden added: ?My reward is going out on the street and being stopped by people who tell me their life has been changed.?

Also given the Queen?s Badge was musician Rodney Tucker, 76, who played the accordion and sang with the Talbot Brothers group. He has also served as an organist at several churches on the Island ? racking up more than 60 years at Marsden First United Methodist Church in his home parish of Smith?s.

He has also spent many years playing at the Wesley Methodist Church, Kindley Air Force Base and Peace Lutheran Church.

He has no idea who put his name forward for the honour.

?I think it?s quite nice that someone would think enough of me to nominate me. It?s very rewarding to know people appreciate what I have done.?