"I've never thought of myself as an outstanding teen," Jacari Brimmer-Landy stated modestly. "I just do lots of things."

Life for Jacari hasn't changed much since he was declared Bermuda's Outstanding Teen for 2010 at the annual awards ceremony on March 21. Though his family and friends have acknowledged his achievement, he himself has quietly carried on as he has always done.

The awards programme, organised by Teen Services, highlights high achievers in a number of areas, and the overall outstanding teen must show evidence of excellence in academics, community involvement, leadership, sport and performing arts and demonstrate personal integrity. While the negative seems to dominate the front pages of local newspapers, Jacari believes it's easy not to be involved in inappropriate behaviour. "I'm not involved [in the negative]. It's very simple. You know what's right from wrong and just don't do wrong," he stated emphatically.

Jacari has had no trouble finding things to keep him challenged, though he does acknowledge that there are at times a limited number of things for youth to do. During the summer months it can be a struggle to find positive options, particularly for young people who have reached the age when they are too old for summer camps but not old enough to work.

A member of the Saltus Grammar School debate team, and the Bermuda Debate Society, Jacari has travelled to Washington, DC, as a junior member of the national team, and captained the team in Greece and in Qatar.

The Saltus head boy has assumed leadership roles in the Bermuda Youth Parliament, as Youth Premier. At school he helps out where needed, including the Student Council, and last year was awarded the title of AP (Advanced Placement) Scholar.

An active member of St. John's Anglican Church, he is also involved in the Bermuda Boys' Brigade, which meets every Friday at St. Paul's Church in Paget. "It sounds like I'm really busy," Jacari acknowledged, "but there's always time to spend with friends. It's not like I have no free time."

Though some of his friends are involved in the same activities as he, many are not, so hanging out with friends means parties and the movies, watching football and NASCAR races ("I'm a big fan") on TV.

Career plans have not yet been crystallised, though the path will begin with a broad business degree at a Canadian university, yet to be determined.

Considering the lives of young Bermudians in general, Jacari felt that the greatest challenge they face is "overcoming the perceptions that are out about us. There's a small number of young people that do bad things and they're the ones on the front page. At times comments like 'You young people …' are discouraging. If you're not in that group such comments are not positive."

Education is also a challenge, he feels, because more and more in Bermuda degrees are needed.

Despite these challenges, he is not discouraged. "I think Bermuda has a very positive future. I see a lot of opportunity for young Bermudians in the world."