Kyrah Scraders has become a role model for scores of young people across the island — and she hasn’t even graduated from high school yet.

The 16-year-old athlete aspires to one day represent the island in the Olympics, but for now the Dean’s List student at Berkeley Institute is focusing on getting a scholarship to a college overseas.

Miss Scraders was recently honoured as the winner of the 2014 Rollin Nathan Community Award for her dedication and perseverance on the running track. It was handed to her at the annual CableVision ‘Salute to Service’ banquet last weekend.

She said it was exciting, but also a little nerve wracking considering she was the youngest person to win an award that night.

The teenager is gradually getting used to all the attention. She said she’s sometimes in the midst of everyday activities when she gets approached by residents telling her how proud they are of her achievements.

“One time I was in the gas station and a little girl’s granny said I was the girl’s idol.

“People will also contact me on Facebook and ask to do their projects on me for school and ask me questions about running. It makes me happy because I want to be a role model and get excited when people recognise what I do.”

Miss Scraders started getting involved with track and field when she was just seven years old.

She didn’t enjoy ballet like some other girls her age, but proved to have a real knack for running at sports days.

After seeing her do well in a race at school, her mother Sherika Scraders asked coach Cal Simons, of Pacers Track Club, if he would let her take part in the group.

Miss Scraders said running challenges her to always get better and set new goals.

“Every year I set a new time to beat, that’s better than my last,” she said. “It feels good to meet these targets because I am getting closer to Olympic standard right now.”

In 2012, Miss Scraders won both the 1500M and 800M races at the Bermuda National Championships in her age category.

She also took home a gold medal in those races at the Junior Central American and Caribbean Championships in El Salvador.

Last year she won the KPMG Front Street Mile; and received gold medals in both the 1500M and 800M at the Carifta Games.

When asked which accomplishment she was most proud of, Miss Scraders said it felt good to compete at the IAAF World Youth Championships in the Ukraine. She placed seventh in the semi-finals and also set a new Bermuda record for the 800 metres.

“I was just excited because I was trying to get it for a year and was just happy with my time,” she said.

Miss Scraders said when she isn’t on the track field, she enjoys volunteering at The Centre’s Summer Day Camp.

She wants to become a PE teacher one day considering she loves working with children.

The teenager said the one piece of advice she would pass on to other young people is simple: work hard and stay focused. “Then you will be able to go where you want to go,” she added.