Making her school bond through different activities and creating a more environmentally-friendly atmosphere are the two main priorities for Jillian Rinehimer, and her position as Head Girl of the Bermuda High School gives her a greater opportunity to implement these goals.

The Year 11 student, who was born and raised in New York before moving to Bermuda via Connecticut at the age of eight, "wanted to do something to help her school and wanted to give back because I've been going here for eight years."

It's hard to believe this confident young woman was once overwhelmed by the new faces confronting her when she first moved to Bermuda. It was a big culture shock, and she took a long time to adjust — the hardest part was leaving her friends behind, she confessed. Recently she and the Deputy Head Girl went on a Round Square trip to Canada and came back with a host of ideas to implement.

"It will take a while," conceded Jillian, "but we've already limited the amount of paper used for printing, and we're building on the work of Caitlin O'Doherty, another BHS student, who started the school's Eco-Club."

She and the Deputy meet occasionally with the Head of Secondary School, Levyette Robinson, to discuss school affairs, and in addition to her own ideas, Jillian was given a list of suggestions for improvement generated by fellow students.

Another priority for this young leader is to get the students in the Senior School, that is Years Seven to 11, to bond more. There are already several activities in place to do just this, including Diversity Day, Sports Day and Spirit Day, the latter focusing on the four school houses and activities to encourage students to meet others within their school house whom they wouldn't usually hang with.

Though these activities offer opportunities for interacting across the year groups, there is always room for improvement.

Chosen from approximately 30 peers, with staff and Year 11 students having a vote, Jillian believes she was chosen "because I am independent enough to set an example. I balance out my activities well, so I am able to manage my Head Girl duties as well as my school work."

In addition to the general daily prefect duties of raising the Union Jack over the school and supervising younger students at lunchtime and recess, the Head Girl has particular public duties, the most special, perhaps, being carrying the torch at the annual Torch Ceremony. She is required to do some public speaking as well, including making announcements and thanking guests in Assembly. And always, of course, acting as a role model for her peers.

Is it worth it? "It definitely is," declared Jillian, emphatically. "It's rewarding. I like going to school and putting a smile on someone's face. People do respect the position of Head Girl, and if I can improve the school, I will have added value to the position."

When not studying or helping with the smooth-running of her school, Jillian enjoys writing poetry.

Last year she trained to be a life guard, and now is enjoying training other youngsters to become life guards through the Guardstart programme.