the US capital next summer but throws off the attention, refusing to say she is special or deserving reward.

Saltus fifth year student will attend the National Student Leadership Conference in the US capital along with students from 35 other countries -- organised by Stanford, American and George Mason Universities.

Robyn's academic record is highlighted by the Association Americaine Des Professeurs De Francais Certificate of Honour, the Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth State Award and an Summa Cum Laude Honourable Merit from the American Classical League for the National Latin Exam.

"Oh, that stuff's just required at the school I went. Everyone did it.'' she said.

Another accomplishment is a Standardized American Test score of 1,160 out of 1500.

The SAT examination is designed for students four class levels above Robyn's.

"Everyone gets offered to take the test if they do well enough.'' she explained.

Robyn moved to Baltimore with her mother when she was nine and enrolled in Garrison Forest School, which she credits for her academic record.

She excelled while at Garrison Forest, becoming the student body co-president and improving her piano and violin skills.

"I love music. I like reggae, rap and rhythm and blues but I'm flexible. If none of those are on the radio I'll listen to almost anything.'' Robyn returned to Bermuda this year and is in her final year at Saltus.

She wants to expand her language skills in Latin and French to Spanish and Italian, on her way to becoming a paediatrition.

And her life is anything but that of a bookworm. She says that outside of academia, she tries to go to parties and "dances''.

She will spend six days on the Mastering Leadership portion of the National Student Leadership Conference, made up of four different courses -- Mastering Leadership, Law and Advocacy, International Diplomacy, and Medical and Health Care.

The Mastering Leadership portion is a series of workshops and simulations designed to help students unlock leadership potential and further develop already evident leadership skills.

Robyn Smith