The first of Bermuda's only quintuplets graduated yesterday – in front of his proud parents.

C.A.R.E. Learning Centre, a learning facility which helps young people who struggle to fit into the traditional school system, saw 25 graduates receive their General Education Degree (GED) at St. Paul's AME Centennial Hall.

One of those 25 was 16-year-old Dakarai Smith, one of the quintuplets who received international recognition in 1991 at the Howard University hospital where they were born.

Marjani, Raziya and Makiri Smith, along with proud parents Robin and Troy Smith, all attended yesterday's ceremony. The fifth baby Makesi died at the age of 21 months.

Mrs. Smith said: "I am very proud of Dakarai, he was always a good child and has always shown good signs."

And she added: "I knew Dakarai could do it because he is a focused and organised person. When he puts his mind to doing something it always gets done."

When asked how Dakarai ended up going to C.A.R.E. his mother said: "He was attending Berkeley and it was not working out for him there." She said she talked to Senator David Burch who advised them to send him to C.A.R.E.

"This was a very good decision and I'm glad he had the opportunity to be with Ms. Neletha Butterfield as she shared her life with them and her struggle and exposed them to the political arena to learn about politics in Bermuda."

Two of the quintuplets are studying in Florida in boarding school and one attends Berkeley Institute.

"I feel very happy to be reaching this stepping stone in my endeavours to get into the field of business management in Bermuda," said Dakarai.

"I plan on going to school either at Howard University or somewhere in the United Kingdom to get my degree.

"My parents were my inspiration. They wouldn't let me slip though the cracks, they stayed on me."

Ms. Butterfield, a former Minister of the Environment, said: "I am really impressed and excited for all the graduates today, because they were given a challenge and they met that challenge."

She added: "Dakarai came with a special talent which was his leadership skills.

"When other students wouldn't apply themselves he would be a positive role model which would encourage others.

"That is why he received the Leadership Awards."

She added: "Education is the key to the future today, not only in Bermuda but the whole world requires a high school diploma in order to get ahead."