With a list which is long in achievements it is easy to see why Bermuda High School for Girls chose Candace Jantzen-Marson as their top student.

"It's nice to know that you've been recognised for achievements over the past few years,'' said the 17-year-old whose academic achievements have been impressive.

With eight GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) from various courses and two of which she took one year earlier, one can see she has made the most of her schooling.

"People look up to me for their grades,'' Candace admitted.

She has been a straight A student for the past four years and is also an accomplished swimmer, having represented Bermuda three times in international competitions as a member of the national team. She has also played on her school's netball and soccer teams.

Taking part in sports both inside and outside of school has helped Candace remain well rounded.

And she will never forget her time at BHS.

"Students have strong relationships with teachers there,'' she noted. "You can't go a day without cracking a joke.'' She credited her academic success to her teachers who she said have been really good.

And she pointed out that there was some merit in achieving things that one set out to do.

"Working your way to the top grades gives you inner satisfaction,'' she admitted.

But she also acknowledged that students may not be motivated by their schools.

"Students need to look inside themselves,'' Candace said. "Push a little bit more for your full potential.'' Next year Candace will be attending the Kings-Edgehill School in Nova Scotia, Canada where she will be pursuing an international baccalaureate and hopes to major in chemical engineering.

It is an exciting prospect and Candace said: "I'm looking forward to being challenged with a large course load.'' She did not have to look far for role models. Her grandmother is one of the people she admires.

"She worked her way up to the highest positions a female has held at the Bank of Bermuda,'' Candace said with pride of her grandmother's accomplishment becoming the first female Bank supervisor after joining the bank in 1950.

"She still tries to learn new things.'' Candace added that her mother and father were also her role models.

"My mother's a full-time teacher who's doing a correspondence course,'' she noted. "My father's an artist, but works full time.'' Candace Jantzen-Marson