received bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards at a ceremony this week.

The Award Scheme, he said, was not a competition but an opportunity for young people to "meet a challenge and show their mettle''.

Present and former students of Warwick Academy, Northlands School, Saltus Grammar School, Mount St. Agnes, Bermuda High School for Girls and members of the Girl Guides Association Bermuda aged 15 to 20 one by one shook hands with Lord Waddington and received their awards at Government House.

Of the award winners, eight received the highest gold award which is recognised worldwide.

Gold Award winner Miss Takeysha Gibson, 18, admitted she was proud to have received the award.

To achieve it, candidates must pursue sporting, community and other activities in their spare time as well as an expedition overseas. Expeditions are also undertaken both locally and abroad in Wales, Canada and Grenada.

The former Berkeley Institute student claimed her expedition to Grenada had been her toughest challenge both physically and mentally. It required her to use compass and map-reading skills in harsh conditions. But it also gave her the opportunity to meet other people and broaden her horizons, she said.

Miss Amanda Smith, a former Warwick Academy student, now studying at Acadia University in Canada claimed she experienced "a great sense of achievement''.

Miss Smith, who is studying business, said the gold award was a mark of dedication and persistence. She added the award was highly regarded on college application forms and by prospective employers.

But first, candidates had to prove themselves as "all-rounded'' types. Former Saltus Grammar School student, Mr. Adam Parker, 19, agreed the toughest part of the programme was an expedition which he undertook in Ontario's Algonquin Park.

On achieving the award this week he said: "It shows strength of character. It shows that if you put your mind to it you can do it.'' At present, more than 250 young people take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme locally. Activities include volunteering at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, day care centres and homes for the elderly.

GOLD AWARDS -- Eight Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award winners were presented with certificates by the Governor Lord Waddington at a Government House ceremony this week. From left: Miss Takeysha Gibson, Mr. Matthew Hooper, Miss Nicola Terceira, Mr. Alex Rollin, Miss Rachel Troake, Mr. Michael Walsh, Miss Amanda Smith and Mr. Adam Parker.