Green-thumbed Jameka Kelly's aspirations of becoming a landscape architect received a boost recently when she was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Bermuda Botanical Society (BBS).

The 21-year-old will now leave her Smith's Parish home for her second semester at A&T State University in North Carolina, where she is studying for a Bachelor's degree.

The Bermuda College graduate said: "I like drawing my different ideas, and I knew the names of the plants and how to plant and care for them, so I figured I would go into landscape architecture.'' Jameka's university had to be accredited in October by the National Association of Landscape Architecture and after only one term she was honoured by having three of her pieces of work displayed for the process.

And although the university will not be told the outcome of the process until the end of January, indications are that its standard of work was very high and becoming an accredited university is certain.

Jameka said she was honoured to have her work submitted for the process and enjoyed studying at school.

She added that her final year involved an internship with a local firm and after completing her studies, she would like to return home and work for a local company.

Before deciding on landscape architecture, Jameka thought about becoming a horticulturist as she had worked at Aberfeldy Nurseries as well as the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

She gained experience in the plant quarantine department and was involved in the Arable Land Survey that determined the amount of farm land in use on the Island.

Jameka was enrolled in the horticultural apprentice programme at the Parks Department but withdrew after applying to university.

The BBS awards a scholarship every year, although Jameka will receive the award for the next four years.

Smaller awards for those studying in the horticultural field are still offered however.

Presenting the Scholarship to Jameka was BBS president Louise Lamphier and vice-president Jo-Ann Curnow.

Mrs. Lamphier said the BBS was very pleased to present Jameka with the award and believed it was the first time it had been offered for landscape architecture.