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Now other Bermudians can appreciate the bubbly 18-year-old as well.

For the kind-hearted Bermuda College student has been chosen as the Candystriper of the Year.

She was picked for her outstanding voluntary work at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

And at a VIP ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Nurses Home a special gold badge was pinned to her by executive director of the Bermuda Hospitals Board Mr.

Hume Martin.

"I was very surprised, but really happy. It made all the effort really worthwhile,'' she exclaimed yesterday.

Bermuda's 89 Candystripers, aged 14 to 18, form the junior department of the Women's Hospital Auxiliary (WHA).

They help out in every area of the hospital, from the wards and X-ray department to the coffee shop.

Their duties range from paper work and reading to the sick, to helping patients prepare their menus.

Some even work in Agape House -- the hospice for the terminally ill -- and St.

Brendan's.

The Candystriper programme lasts four years, at the end of which certificates are handed out.

"I think the whole of Bermuda appreciates what they do,'' said WHA president Mrs. Kathleen Mayor.

Candystripers supervisor Mrs. Evelyn Latham and chairman Mrs. Penny Ray took on the difficult task of choosing this year's winner.

But the Devonshire teenager's rare qualities made their job much easier.

Said Mrs. Latham: "She is very special. She is consistently good in her work, and never has an attitude.

"She works very well with other people, and is quite exemplary.'' Mrs. Mayor agreed, adding the programme built up young people's self-esteem, and helped them overcome shyness.

Not that Raquel, of North Shore, has ever had problems in this area.

"I am actually an outgoing person. I became a Candystriper because I always used to see them and their work looked interesting.

"I always wanted to learn more about the hospital, and I have certainly achieved that.'' She added: "The programme also helped me meet a lot of new people. You learn to get along with everyone.'' Raquel, who has received stripes for the 400 hours she has been a Candystriper, is in her second year at Bermuda College.

She hopes to eventually study business administration in Canada.

WINNING SMILE -- Candystriper of the Year 18-year-old Raquel Emery pictured outside King Edward VII Hospital yesterday.