The following speech was given by CedarBridge Academy Head Boy 2002-2003, Josue Paulos, titled "A World of Opportunities" to the student body at the Honours Assembly on Tuesday, March 11.

CedarBridge, Bermuda, School, United States, War, Peace, Education Environment, Opportunities, Books, Knowledge, Sports, Dance, Academics, Religion, Community, Diversity, History, Future, University, Technology, Charity, Excellence and Employment!

These are just a few words that you may encounter or already have encountered. Bermuda is only 21 square miles with a population of approximately 64,000 in a world that has over three billion people! We grow up in a community that is close and where we know everyone. We find it difficult to leave our homes and try new and exciting adventures.

We are taught right from a young age that we go to school, go college and get a good job. But why? Why not take a year off and backpack through Europe? Why not do Rotary Exchange and spend a year in a foreign country, learning about there culture and traditions? Why not apply for one of the United World College Scholarships available and spend two years interacting with students from every corner of the globe while studying from one of the most rigourous and challenging programmes?

Why not apply for scholarships to attend various universities? Do you know thousands of dollars go unclaimed in Bermuda on Scholarships? Why do we let the media intimidate us and make us feel less intelligent and capable than our peers in private schools? Why? Use your resources; take advantage of the opportunities that a wait for you!

If you want to attend a United World College, Rotary, intern at major a corporation, learn about scholarships, interested in trades - anything! - talk to your counsellor. You have all the resources available here at your fingertips! Opportunities are available, but you need to know when to take them and run. Well, you may be thinking, what will I get out of this and who has ever done so well? I have! In 1999 I approached Ms. Donna Swainson-Robinson and said I enjoy working with computers and want to get some exposure to the real world. Through Ms Robinson I was able to intern for a year for free at a local exempt company.

Yes, that's right for free! The following summer they offered me a paid position. Three years later I am a part-time employee and have been able to net work and meet various types of people in the community. Who here would love to live in a castle surrounded by nature and interacting with students from around the globe? I just recently was selected to attend a United World College; I had a choice of Singapore, Wales, India, Swaziland and New Mexico.

This fall I will be calling Armand Hammer, United World College of the American West home. It is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, the United World College is surrounded by nature trails and wilderness. It is going to cost approximately $20,000.00 a year for two years to attend this United World College.

You noticed I did not say it is going to cost me approximately $20,000.00. So picture it, work for a year for free, get hired, apply for a scholarship programme, attend school in a foreign country and interact with students from every race, culture and background for free.

It is not easy, when did life ever become easy? When my friends went out or over each others house after school, I went to work. I helped others and volunteered at rest homes. You need to sacrifice and the return will be great. Let me tell you something, scholarship committees are not just interested in academics; they are interested in what you do.

They are looking for well rounded individuals. You like to play soccer, play soccer. You like to sing, sing. Get involved and give back!

We complain that the media always prints negative information about CedarBridge Academy, but what do you do to change that? Prove them wrong! Make a difference!

I am CedarBridge Academy's first United World College Scholarship Recipient, but certainly not the last! Take advantage of all the opportunities that CedarBridge Academy has to offer. Remember, there is only one difference between public and private school education, they pay for there knowledge and we receive ours free. We all do not have equal talents but we do have equal opportunities!

It's not over for me yet. I graduate from CedarBridge Academy this June, and I know that CedarBridge has prepared me to compete and contribute locally and globally! Out of eight students that applied for a United World College scholarship one was from a public school and that individual was me and I made it. I graduate from CedarBridge and move on to my next path way of life! In the real world they do not care if you had the latest hair style, latest clothing and shoes in high school.

They don't care if you were the biggest nerd or most popular student. They want to know that you have the foundation and ability to work and learn and not be stopped by obstacles or challenges. You are the artist of your life. You paint your own picture and if you do not like what you have created for yourself, then you need to change it yourself!

Remember, it is up to you.