A talented 17-year-old has been given some much needed assistance from the McGill Bermuda Scholarship Trust.

Marcus D. Symonds told The Royal Gazette: "This scholarship is really going to help me a lot, otherwise I would have had to raise money through work, on my own or through a loan, but this is going to help."

Mr. Symonds, who will receive $9,000 per year for up to four years, said he was surprised, happy and excited about the grant, which he received on July 29.

He will be heading off to McGill University in Montreal, Canada next weekend to pursue his general arts degree, but said that his ultimate goal is to become a lawyer.

"Ever since I was young, it's been an interest of mine to be in the field of law. Recently I've shadowed in a few law firms and it has helped reassure me of what I would like to participate in," he said.

The Warwick Academy student excelled in academics, regularly earning the Principal's List Honours and First Honours; and recently completed the International Baccalaureate programme. He also rose to become the captain of the Warwick rugby team and participated in the Bermuda Cadet Corps where he achieved the rank of Lance Corporal.

Among other accomplishments, he achieved grade certificates from The Royal School of Music for clarinet and theory and also received the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award for participating in a five-day hike through Northern Trinidad. On top of all that, he volunteered with the YouthNet mentoring programme and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

His father Carlos, the principal at Clearwater Middle School, and mother Venetta Symonds were both proud of their son's accomplishments. His father told The Royal Gazette: "We're very proud that he has applied himself, he stayed on track and is on his way to achieving his potential."

The McGill Bermuda Scholarship Trust was established in 1988 following a generous donation by Dudley and Deborah Butterfield and other McGill graduates on the Island. It is awarded each year to a deserving student of McGill University.