quest for their Duke of Edinburgh gold medals.

They finally completed their most arduous task -- a five-day hike over wild terrain -- to fulfil the final requirement for the gold medal after travelling to remote locations in the lush Welsh hills and the steamy tropics of South America and the Caribbean.

They recently received their rewards -- the coveted gold awards from Governor Thorold Masefield at Government House.

Their adventures were varied and exotic.

Lisa Haynes recalled a 60-mile hike over volcanoes in St. Vincent. Francesca Bortoli described the rain that fell on schedule in the Guyanese rain forest, and lamented the memory of blisters caused by wet boots. Her teammate Keiva Maronie remembered their team's dwindling food supply while they waited in a remote area for a boat that was delayed. Most of the travellers recounted errors in navigation while hiking through isolated regions.

Gladwina O'Mara and her teammates became lost for long stretches of time in the ethereal mists of the Welsh hills. Laura Lyons laughed as she remembered her boots sinking in the mud as she wandered aimlessly in a rainstorm in Wales. Hiking trips were often interspersed with abseiling, rock-climbing and gorge-walking. Lindsay Taylor reminisced about a gorge walk through an icy cold river in Wales. She said: "I just remember my toes getting numb. We had to walk a little while, and he (the counsellor) said it would help us thaw, but I just remember thinking `I can't feel my feet!'.'' In fact, it was meeting the arduous mental challenge created by difficult physical conditions that created the sense of accomplishment evident in these young people.

Summer Wood said: "When you push yourself really hard and you don't think you have anything left, you really do.'' Her teammate Keiva reflected before adding: "You learn more about yourself.

You do things you didn't think you could do.'' Summer quickly interjected: "And eat things you didn't think you would eat!'' Many cited their travels as being influential in their future endeavours.

Lisa said her 1991 expedition in St. Vincent provided her with invaluable experience for her future travels, which have since taken her around the entire globe.

Journeying to Wales in 1995 with members of the Bermuda Police Service has been beneficial to Gladwina's career as a Police officer. She said she believed "it was more the mental challenge than the physical'' from which she learned.

Like most who have completed the expedition for the gold medal, she strongly recommended it to young people.

The memories of the medalists are rich and varied -- including the generosity of the local people they met along the way.

Summer and Keiva recalled that at the summit of a long hike up steep and slippery terrain alongside the 15,000 foot Kiature Waterfall, a Guyanese man offered them water and cassava bread.

Laura remembered a teammate who was forced to turn back. "It was really sad,'' she said. Lindsay confided: "I never remember feeling so proud to finish anything.'' Some 2,500 collective hours of volunteer work culminated in the Duke of Edinburgh awards for a number of young people.

Ninety-five programme participants received their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

"It is a pleasure to congratulate those who have worked so hard,'' said Mr.

Masefield.

"This is to make an important transition. From being a child, being told what to do; to being an adult, giving, taking and building in society.'' It was a family affair for Rachael Beasley when she joined her two brothers, Adrian and Ben, in receiving the prestigious DOE Gold award.

Older brothers Adrian and Ben had completed the challenging programme when Rachael was growing up.

Seventeen-year-old Rachael of Warwick gave credit to her parents, saying she could not have done it without them.

"Super star-h!'' Adrian said to his sister. "I'm incredibly proud of my sister. It's a whole family thing.'' The sibling trio of Adrian, 21, Ben, 19, and Rachael, 17, agree that the award gives a person a feeling of personal accomplishment, self-esteem and self-worth.

"Rachael's been in our shadow a long time and its good she went forward and did her thing.'' Ben said.

"They both have qualities that inspired me.'' Rachael said of her brothers but clearly set herself apart when she smiled and announced her career goals.

"I want to rule the world.'' The Duke of Edinburgh Award was started in 1956 and now operates in 92 countries, allowing Bermudians to travel and complete activities they would not otherwise have a chance to experience.

The award has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each has a corresponding difficulty that requires volunteer work, skills participation, physical activity and adventure expeditions.

"It certainly shows commitment and dedication.'' said Bank of Butterfield executive vice president Richard Ferrett whose daughter just won a Silver Award.

The awards are very applicable to a real world employment opportunity, "especially for young people who are making their first move into work'', said Britt Gardiner, manager at the James Partnership employment agency.