Being smart really pays off as evidenced by a handful of students that got the opportunity to get up close and personal with Prince Harry on his recent visit to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II. While thousands of students can say that they saw him, it's those smart kids that can say they spoke to the prince or shook his hand.
Fifteen-year-old Queen's College student, Selandia Toote, was the first person to greet the young royal as soon he disembarked his flight. She was charged with presenting him with a floral bouquet.
The tenth grade student was selected to present the prince with flowers because she got the best grades in the last Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) examinations -- eight A-grades and one B-grade.
Although a simple gesture, that was over in the blink of an eye, it was an honor Selandia said she will never forget.
"When I was told I would see Prince Harry I wasn't sure how to feel. Eventually I was very happy and excited. It was a one in a million experience and I will definitely not forget it. It was very exhilarating," she said. "I was so nervous when he got off the plane because I was tasked to give him flowers and be the first person he met. It didn't sink in how important all of this was until I was there in front of the plane as he was coming down. He told me thank you for the flowers and that he appreciated them. I was then led to the end of a long line of government ministers who were also there to meet and greet the prince. I then got a chance to actually touch the prince as well when he shook my hand. I was so excited."
If she had gotten the opportunity to spend more time with Prince Harry, she said she would have liked to engage him in conversation and take a photograph with him.
Selandia said she would have questioned him on what it was like to be a prince, and whether it was anything like what she reads in stories. Being able to ask him trivial questions about himself like his height and favorite everyday things, she said, would have really made her year.
"I felt that I was special to be able to shake his hand. Few people get that chance to do that or even be in close proximity. I am glad I did so well in my BJCs. I would tell other students to strive to do their best and don't settle. To do above and beyond. Aim for 100 percent and don't waste time. Chances like these don't happen everyday and you never know what opportunities may come your way due to your hard work."
Even though her time with the prince was very brief, she said she still has a story to tell her children and grandchildren in the future.
Anna meets the prince
Forest Heights Academy seventh grade student, Anna Albury truly knows the value of working hard and seeing it pay off. The blind 12-year-old who was named the 2011 primary school student of the year, not only spoke at a youth rally in honor of Prince Harry, but unlike Selandia, she got to sit and have a conversation with him as well. She said the experience was remarkable and anticipated she would never forget her moments with the prince.
"At first when I was told I would meet the prince it was so overwhelming. My mom and dad just came home one day and told me I may want to sit down to hear what they had to say. She then told me I would be speaking at a youth rally in New Providence in a month or so. I was excited about that but then when she told me it would be in front of Prince Harry as well, I was overjoyed."
She said she prepared to speak to the thousands that would be in the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium for weeks. Her excitement increased when she was informed that there was a chance the prince would sit in the same row she would sit in at the rally. It wasn't until she was on the stage and sat down that she realized Prince Harry was sitting right next to her.
"It was so exciting. What I will remember the most is about how genuine Prince Harry really was. He was not stuffy or just being polite. He really was interested in talking to me about myself and finding out a bit about my life. It was so interesting. He could've just sat there and said nothing and he didn't even have to stand up to greet me. But he did and it was so amazing. Although I couldn't see him I could tell so much about him from those few moments. He's tall, kind and a genuinely nice person. I will truly never forget my time with the prince."
The most special thing of all to young Anna was that Prince Harry congratulated her after her five-minute speech. After he gave his, he turned to her and asked her opinion on his two-minute performance as well. It was a small moment that may not have meant a lot to other people but it meant the world to her.
"I am so glad I worked so hard in school. If I hadn't done so well I would not have been there on the stage next to Prince Harry. Because of this wonderful experience I would definitely tell other students to stay in school, further their education and those who have disabilities don't let them hold you back. Challenges and obstacles will come but be determined to overcome them, she said.
And true to fashion like most young girls who at some point or other all believe in fairytales, Anna said she playfully entertained thoughts of being whisked away and marrying Prince Harry.
J'Quianne gets a once-in-a-lifetime experience
J'Quianne Lowe, an eleventh grade student from San Salvador High School only expected to get a far-off glance of Prince Harry. An hour before the youth rally she was informed that Prince Harry at one point would sit next to her in the bleachers.
"I didn't expect to be able to experience seeing the prince like that at all. Not many people can say the prince sat next to them and spoke to them for a while. spoke to me and a few other students about things that interested him. He told me about his favorite sport -- polo, and asked me about our athletes and things we do. He spoke about his trip to Eleuthera and how nice he thought the Bahamian people were. It was nice."
The "well-rounded" student who represented her school, said her trip New Providence was half paid for by her school said she was glad she made the trip to the capital.
"I was so happy. I will not forget this," said J'Quianne.

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