horse-related organisations: the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, the Bermuda Horse and Pony Association, the Bermuda Dressage Group, the Saddle Club of Bermuda, and the Warwick Academy Equestrian Club.

Not only does Gemma like horse riding but she is very good at it. Last July she was chosen as a member of the Bermuda team that attended the Equestrian show held at Chukka Cove in Jamaica. While there she won the championship for her age group. She loves animals so much that she wants to become a veterinarian so that she can help animals.

She has one sister Lara who is 23 years old. She has a dog, Tia; two cats, Vikki and Yoda, and a hamster called Candie.

Gemma, who is also known as `Smiles' and `Gem', goes to school at Warwick Academy where her favourite subject is science.

She enjoys swimming and music and her favourite foods are pizza and breaded shrimp. She said that she has little involvement with community work right now but in the future would like to participate in Riding for the Disabled or become a Candy Striper.

Gemma said the person she would most like to meet is Yehudi Menuhin because he is such a gifted and popular musician.

If she was given an open plane ticket and could visit any place in the world Gemma said she would go to Germany. "I read about Germany in a book and I'd like to see the changes that have taken place over the last few years,'' she said.

Gemma thinks that government should build a centre where the youth of Bermuda could participate in a wide variety of sports and activities.

She said that the increase in drug abuse had led to one of Bermuda's biggest problems, crime. "I feel that increased, random drug testing and stricter penalties would help to cut down on drug-related crime,'' Gemma said.

She believes that crime could eventually drive away tourists. Bermuda's standard of living would drop as a result and no one would feel safe any more, she said.

Gemma believes that if crime could be stopped, tourism would recover and people would be more confident and friendly.

She wishes that violence and racism would stop. "I hope that I am one of the people that helps to end violence and racism,'' Gemma said.

INTERVIEW BY KRISTY WARREN