An aspiring young dancer who recently won the Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Competition encourages her peers to follow their dreams.

Jacquelin Harris, 17, vied with teenagers from Barbados to Virginia, US, in the talent competition, and admits she came out on top because of her belief in herself and her abilities.

She said: "I just kept doing what I love to do and never gave up. You can always be successful in what you love to do if you love to do it. Just do it with all your heart and never doubt yourself."

The North Carolina teen admits she began dancing when she was two years old and remained dedicated to the craft throughout her childhood.

Then last year when deciding which college to attend, her mother told her about the Hal Jackson scholarship programme.

"My mom was looking on the Internet for good scholarship opportunities for young teens who have talent," Jacquelin said.

"She came across Hal Jackson talented teens and she saw the legacy that it had and what it has done for people in the future and she thought it would be a great opportunity for me."

Jacquelin decided to take part in the competition, which in past years has been awarded to famous faces like Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Vanessa Williams.

Though these were tough shoes to fill, the teenager believed she could find her own place in the limelight.

The talent competition, put together by broadcast legend Hal Jackson in 1971, was held for the first time in Bermuda on July 24.

Judges, contestants and proud supporters gathered at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium to learn which singer, dancer, actor or pianist would be named the winner.

In the end, Jacquelin pirouetted her way into their hearts with a dance number entitled 'Bird'.

She combined aspects of ballet and modern dance with gymnastics and according to one programme director was the obvious front-runner.

Wiley Morton, of Tennessee, said: "I had Ms Harris in the top and kind of expected her to be the winner. But the talent was definitely above average (this year), it was very great, very competitive."

Jacquelin won a scholarship to study engineering and dance at the college level. She was also handed a diamond ring and travel opportunities to the British Virgin Islands and St. Croix.

Moments after her win she told The Royal Gazette: "I feel amazing this is the most rewarding experience of my life."

While the glitz and glam of the competition will always be remembered, the teen admits there were also challenges along the way.

Waking up early for practices and orientation was difficult, as was battling through some pre-show anxiety.

But Jacquelin said she overcame the challenges through prayer. "I just prayed to God and asked him to help me go out on stage and dance from my heart and just do what I love to do and he helped me."

There were some rewards as well, like the chance to get to know dozens of other girls from the United States and Caribbean.

According to Jacquelin this was "the best part" — and taught her to have more confidence, discipline and about what it takes to be successful.

For more information on the Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Competition visit www.talentedteens.com.