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Island’s teens are an outstanding bunch

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The winners of the individual categories of the 2013 Outstanding Teen Service Awards held Saturday night at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess pose for a group photo after the event. (photo by Glenn Tucker)

Just like generations before them, today’s teenagers have a reputation for being sullen, self-centred and lazy, spending their days in front of computer or TV screens, a set of headphones pressed to their ears, oblivious to the outside world.But anyone who attended the annual Teen Services Outstanding Teen Awards at the Hamilton Princess Hotel on Saturday night will know that stereotype doesn’t present a true picture of the talent, drive, energy and enthusiasm that many of Bermuda’s teenagers possess.And Latonia Fray demonstrated all those qualities and more when she picked up the night’s top award, the 2013 Outstanding Teen.The Saltus Grammar School Head Girl, 17, has a stunning academic record, has represented Bermuda at field hockey, completed her bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and actively volunteers with the BSmart Development Centre, an organisation that provides activities and clubs for children and adults.The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of youngsters by inviting schools and other organisations to nominate candidates in their final year of High School.After her curriculum vitae was submitted by her school, Latonia was one of dozens of candidates who had to attend a gruelling interview process in February.“I think I was taken by surprise to be the overall winner,” Latonia told The Royal Gazette last night.“Initially I thought I was going to be running in the Leadership category as I thought that was my strength. Also, it’s a very tough competition because there is only one winner, even though it’s open to both boys and girls.“I wasn’t really processing it at the time, but when they read out my biography I felt it was an achievement. I think I’m an all-rounder, which is maybe why I won.”Latonia plans to begin studying economics or business at a US university later this year, and has her heart set on a career as a financial analyst when she eventually returns home to Bermuda.She insisted that she is not atypical of today’s youth, many of whom do get involved in activities outside of school such as sports, church organisations and societies such as the Youth Parliament.And her advice to anyone who wants to be nominated for the award next year?“Take advantage of opportunities,” she said.“The school system here provides for so many opportunities and you need to take advantage of them and just get involved.“The reason I’m in the position I’m in now is because I saw opportunities, either through hockey, or through the UN or whatever. You might not end up at the top, but it can take you global and at the end of the day, regardless of how far you go with it, it’s still a positive experience.”

And the winner is...: Saltus Grammar School head girl Latonia Fray was named the 2013 Outstanding Teen. (photo by Glenn Tucker)
<B>Category Winners</B>

2013 Outstanding TeenLatonia Fray (Saltus)

PerseveranceKe Anne Adcock Smith (CBA); Kevin Pacheco (CBA).

SportsMorgan Beckles (BHS); Kent Bean Jnr (CBA).

LeadershipJayLynn Hines (BHS); Breon Neverson (CBA).

Community ServiceConstance Campbell (BHS); Torrae Wainwright (Saltus).

Most ProgressArisha Butterfield (CBA); Pierre Basden (BI).

Visual ArtsCourtney Clay (WA); Nahshon Hollis (Saltus).

SpiritualityDominique Rawlins (BHS); Pierre Basden (BI).

Academic AchievementAnna Dobson (WA); Benjamin Sayers (Saltus).

Vocational/Technical ArtsYanna Smith.

Performing ArtsKatherine Ewles (BHS); Rickai Burrows (CBA)