its student essay competition.

And during a special ceremony at City Hall yesterday, the 30 recipients shook hands and had their pictures taken with Premier Pamela Gordon.

The contest, which attracted more than 400 entries, invited students of all ages to describe "The Bermuda In Which I Want To Live''.

The challenge of selecting the winners was met by five judges -- Archibald Hallett, McNeil Warner, Rosalind Minors, Elizabeth Mulderig and Lucy Willitts -- who knew only the age and gender of each participant.

Ms Gordon explained the contest was designed to help students discover their own voices and enhance their literacy skills.

"Last year we asked adult Bermudians to share their thoughts on Bermuda's future and we have been listening carefully,'' Ms Gordon said. "We want to listen to the young people as they express their ideas as well.'' She added that many of the students who entered expressed concern about wide-spread drug use, violence, litter, homelessness, teen pregnancy, tourism, prices and Independence.

Ms Gordon said she especially liked the suggestion of a special day dedicated to picking up trash.

The contest was divided into five categories with both a boy and girl winner chosen for each first, second and third place prize. But there was no gender category for Bermuda College entrants.

The students were awarded $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third.

Through a press release, a contest committee member thanked all parents, teachers and students who took part, adding "every entry made a real contribution and is gratefully acknowledged''.

First place in the five-to-seven-year-old category was awarded to Mark Selley of Warwick Academy and Alison Begeman of Saltus Cavendish.

Julian Rees Fletcher of Montessori Academy and Madonna Joy Smith of Warwick Academy placed second with Rhys Cranfield of Somerset Primary and Jatia Richardson of Harrington Sound Primary came a close third.

The eight-to-11-year-old age group was won by Jamel Thomas of Elliott Primary and Alicia Tucker of Warwick Academy.

Edward Rance of Saltus Junior School and Jessica Cabral of Warwick Academy came second with third place prizes presented to Ian Scotton of Warwick Academy and Zenika Simons of Bermuda Institute.

Keilo Govia of Spice Valley Middle School and Mia Finsness of the Bermuda High School for Girls came out on top in the 12-to-14-year-old category with Travis Tucker of Saltus Senior School and Susanna Merlo of Warwick Academy placing second. Brian Hall of Warwick Academy and Ashley Bean of Bermuda Institute came third.

The 15-to-18-year-old division was captured by Vincent Richardson of Berkeley Institute and Greer Valasse of Bermuda Institute. Second place prizes were awarded to Lerone Simons of Berkeley Institute and Rochee Douglas of Bermuda College, followed by Sammy DeGraffe of Bermuda Institute and Alyssa Stewart of CedarBridge Academy in third.

And the Bermuda College category, for full-time students, was topped by Jameka Kelly with Rachel Dill in second and Gail Lightbourne in third.

COMPETITION CPN