This week, The Royal Gazette's Young Observer section continues its profiles of students who won the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bermuda Outstanding Student Award.

Every senior school on the Island was asked to select a single student from the graduating class to receive the award on grounds of scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, school spirit and community involvement.

Chairperson of the Institute's Public Awareness Committee Michelle Dallas said: "With this award, we are not asking that students have already made a career choice, or even taking accounting courses, we are merely recognising and encouraging both academic and positive leadership qualities.'' *** Some adults would be hard pushed to match the experiences notched by Berkeley Institute graduate Deidre Jones.

The 17-year-old is preparing to earn a Gold Award for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, a participant in a Rotary exchange programme, a three-year veteran of the hospital's Candy Stripers, a track and field competitor, a cross-country runner, a dancer and spends her summer working in the Human Resources Department at the Bank of Bermuda.

"I have to give back.'' she said. She noted that she worked hard to benefit those around her and stressed she felt she owed something.

Deidre said she pulled on her experience as a Candy Striper to help her decide what she wanted to do with her life.

She said she wanted to be a dermatologist. "I've always wanted to go into the medical field.'' She graduated as part of Berkeley's Class of 2000 and will take the opportunity to travel aboard with the Rotary Exchange to a Sixth Form programme in Belgium.

Deidre noted that her family was "more excited than me''.

While this high-flying achiever likes to travel, she is tempered by her fun-loving side.

"I like to shop,'' she said.

And, though she will be very busy over the next year, Deidre said she hoped to continue with her passion of dancing.

"I like to run but I'm a dancer. I've been dancing since I was five.'' But she does not want to dance for a career, she stressed.

"I've been doing it so long, I don't want to give it up. I want to continue dancing, but not professionally,'' she said.

Deidre paid respect to counsellors in her life who told her what to do.

"They said it's best to get involved in anything. It reflects.'' Deidre Jones: The 17-year-old is preparing to earn a Gold Award for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, a participant in a Rotary exchange programme, a three-year veteran of the hospital's Candy Stripers, a track and field competitor, a cross-country runner, a dancer and spends her summer working in the Human Resources Department at the Bank of Bermuda.