When the going gets tough, the tough get going is a maxim that fits Warren Fray like a glove.

One of five children born to construction worker William Fray and his wife Madelyn, Warren grew up in a home where there was plenty of love but only one pay cheque. Like his siblings, he was raised in a tradition of learning and earning.

Thus the young lad could often be found at holidays and weekends working alongside his father on construction sites instead of fooling around. Whatever he earned he saved because he had a goal.

For as long as he can remember, Warren wanted to be an architect -- a choice that would involve five years of study and a three-year internship before the all-important final certification.

Naturally good at art, and with his interest in architecture heightened not only by building sites but also his student days at Warwick Secondary School, Mr. Fray relentlessly pursued his dream.

He enrolled in the Bermuda College and spent two years acquiring the requisite academic qualifications to get him into the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York -- or so he thought.

Just one week away from graduation, Warren returned from inspecting his prospective campus to learn that, due to an administrative snafu, he was 12 credits short and wouldn't be wearing the traditional cap and gown after all.

"I was stunned. I'm not a man to cry, but I was really hurt,'' he remembered.

"No-one was aware of the fact that I was 12 credits short at the 200 level.'' Apparently, at the 100 level (first year) of the two-year programme, the avenue of studies is broad, but narrows at the 200 level (second year) into subjects specifically related to an intended degree programme.

"Since the College doesn't have studies specifically directed towards architecture at the 200 level, there was an understanding between the teachers that I would take extra 100 level courses to build up transferable credits for architecture school abroad,'' Mr. Fray explained.

Fortunately for the student, however, Pratt decided to accept him anyway and come this September he will begin his fourth year of studies.

As to how he's doing, Warren Fray tells it best.

"I have been on the President's List since I have been there,'' he said proudly. "You have to have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 or above to be on the honours list.'' He was also a candidate for a Fulbright scholarship, but said he couldn't get it because he is Bermudian.

But then, Mr. Fray is used to adversity, even when it comes to scholarships.

Although he has been awarded a Bermuda Government grant worth $5000 a year, and a scholarship from the Institute of Bermuda Architects worth $1500 a year, his repeated attempts to secure one of the major private scholarships has been unsuccessful.

"Pratt is one of the top architecture schools -- it is presently ranked ninth in the nation -- and my tuition is $6500 per semester ($13,000 per year).

Of course, that doesn't cover room and board, books and other expenses, so my father must cover the difference,'' Mr. Fray explained.

And that troubles the young man more and more because he knows that, in order to educate him and his siblings, two of whom are at college, his hard-working father is enduring a great deal of suffering.

"My problem is his health,'' the student said. "There is a problem with his feet which he kept hidden from us for years, but now it's so bad he can't hide it. Every step he takes is painful.

"His goal in life has been to educate us, but how much longer can he go on with his feet the way they are?'' So Warren has resolved to relieve the financial burden any way he can. Unable to work in the depressed construction industry this summer, where he earned good money, he is instead working with a local architectural firm.

"As architectural students, we don't get paid much,'' he admitted. "I loved construction. I love the sun and I love to work, and of course I loved that I was making more money to ease the financial strain on my family. I'm ambitious and I enjoy striving.'' To help make up the deficit, the ambitious young Bermudian has capitalised on his artistic talent by producing a striking series of pen and ink drawings capturing highlights of the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Shopping around, he found a sympathetic printer to convert six of them into high quality prints for a modest sum, which he now plans to sell.

"Ever since I started studying architecture, my goal has been to take as much of the strain and pain off my father as possible, so whatever I can use of my talent to make money with I will do,'' he explained. "I'm not into just grabbing money, you understand -- this is money for a purpose.'' Professionally packaged in a smart folder with a drawing of the Clock Tower on the cover, the 11 x 15-inch prints are remarkable for their finesse and detail.

"Albert Lorenz, one of my teachers at Pratt, taught me the technique,'' Mr.

Fray said. "He is recognised as one of the finest illustrators in the world, has published four books, was commissioned to draw all the Marriott Hotels, and also won a poster of the year contest in the US. I got all A's in his class. He's a great guy!'' Next, Mr. Fray plans to produce a similar series on Hamilton and the East End.

"I started with Dockyard because I wanted to capture its essence before something happened to it,'' he explained. "I tried to pick up on the beautiful, fortress-like buildings because the stonework is so fantastic. Each image in my series has a building in it.'' In fact, Mr. Fray can't resist the challenge of a blank piece of paper -- a habit he's had since childhood -- and spends hours at the drawing board in his New York residence.

"When I look at blank paper I strive for the feeling, `There is something there, you just have to find it','' he said. "I don't have any social life abroad. I'm not a nerd, I just like to keep away from distractions and think about things.'' As for the future, when he finally gets his degree, Warren Fray hopes to complete his three-year internship in the United States before finally coming home to leave more of his architectural mark on the island he loves.

"At age 19 I designed my first house, which was built in 1990 on the Knapton Hill Estate,'' he revealed.

And of course he wants to take care of his parents.

"All they ever wanted was for their children to be happy,'' he said. "My mother has been a tremendous back-up for us too -- a housewife who was always there for us when we came home. I can't thank her and my father enough. I owe so much to them.'' For further information on the Dockyard prints, telephone 236-8184.

CLOCK TOWER MAGIC -- This close-up shows the fine attention to detail in Warren Fray's pen-and-ink drawing of the Clock Tower Building in Dockyard.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE -- Architecture student Warren Fray will use proceeds from the sale of his Royal Naval Dockyard drawings to help finance his tuition at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York.