local students for over 17 years by running an award scheme that attracts the attention of employers and schools alike.

Every year each senior school is asked to select a graduating student who demonstrates scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, school spirit and community involvement.

Michelle Dallas, chairperson of the Institute's Public Awareness committee, said: "With this award, we are not asking that students have already made a career choice, or even taking accounting course, we are merely recognising and encouraging both academic and positive leadership qualities.'' However, an objective of the institute is to educate senior school students: "To educate them on what a chartered accountant is, various roles a chartered accountant plays, the extensive job opportunities available to chartered accountants - particularly to Bermudian chartered accountants -and to describe how to become one.'' Students find out about the award during graduation. An alumnus of the school or an Institute member will award the student a suitable gift, a certificate from the Institute and the student's name is engraved on a plaque kept at the school.

Because of the criteria for the award, students often wind up taking part in other programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the United World College.

These high-aiming achievers will be profiled in a series of installments throughout the next seven Young Observers columns published every Thursday in The Royal Gazette .