Gold certificates were handed out to 13 Duke of Edinburgh international award winners at a special Government House ceremony.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, is patron of the initiative’s international award in Bermuda, and was on hand to congratulate the youngsters

The youngsters put in more than 3,500 hours of community and activity work in order to achieve the recognition.

Karen Simmons, programme director of the award, said: “I am particularly pleased to be able to celebrate these young individuals who worked hard to complete the gold level of the award during unprecedented times.

“These 13 gold awardees dug deep and invested in developing themselves towards their physical fitness, skill development, voluntary service in the community and a sense of true adventure.

“We all know that over the past two years the world has been in a state of change and uncertainty and Bermuda was no exception.

“The national award office and standards and training committee were diligent that it wanted to continue to afford the 2020 and then 2021 gold cohort the opportunity to experience an overseas adventurous journey as we had done in 2018 and 2019.

“As an organisation we quickly ‘pivoted’ and found that we have the professional skill set to offer a comparable and challenging water-based gold adventurous journey and residential project right her in Bermuda through one of our approved activity providers – Usail Bermuda.”

Ms Lalgie congratulated the youngsters on their commitment and determination.

She said: “We celebrate the 13 young people who have worked so diligently to attain this award.

“They have given up their free time and weekends as part of their journey to the gold award by committing themselves to either learning a skill, carrying out community service, or developing healthy behaviours through physical recreation.”

Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Jovanna Douglas, said: “On behalf of the Award Council, I would like to congratulate all the Gold Awardees. Achieving the Gold Award is the culmination of countless hours of hard work and commitment.

“We owe a huge debt of thanks to those individuals that volunteer their time and commitment in Bermuda to deliver the award. Without the countless hours of time devoted by our award volunteers/assessors and staff, we would not be able to celebrate these achievements today.

“As with the award’s volunteers, we must also thank all those that support the award financially. In particular, a grateful thanks to the award’s Gold award donor partners: The Centennial Foundation, The Bermuda Community Foundation and AXA XL Foundation for their support and generous donations.”

Of the 13 award winners, tri-holders (those who have the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards) are Natalie Calderon, Cree Dunn, Linnea Kuruvilla, Genevieve Lau, Tommy Marshall, Ryley Mason, Daniel Osset, Jaime Procter, Emma Stegmann and Robin Stempel.

Hailey O’Donnell is a tri holder and emerging leader, Brianna Smith is a tri holder, award leader/assessor and participant representative on the award council. And Kieran Swann is a direct entrant who did not complete any other level before the gold level.