Published: Friday, 12th June, 2009 12:39pm

2009 Dux Boy and Girl announced at St Ronan's

EXCITEMENT filled the air at St Ronan"s School in Innerleithen last Friday as the Principal"s for the games were read out.

The hopefuls packed the school hall wondering who would be picked to play the key roles in the historic festival.

And at last the waiting is over, Benjamin Hindley will play the role of St Ronan at Games Week in July, while Esmé Pringle will be by his side as Dux Girl.

They will be joined by Alexander Paterson as lantern bearer, and the Monks and Sash Girls.

Benjamin, 11, said that he is very happy and proud to be chosen for the role, which he really wanted to do and is excited about the upcoming games. His hobbies include tennis, piano and playing the cornet with St Ronan"s Silver Band.

He said: 'Lots of people were saying that I might get it but I never believed them. I"m delighted to have been picked and I"m really looking forward to Games Week now.'

Esmé, 11, also told how unexpected it was when her name was called out and that she"s really looking forward to the Games. Her hobbies include reading, music and netball. She too plays cornet with St Ronan"s Silver Band alongside this year"s Dux Boy, Benjamin.

'I"m really looking forward to Games Week,' she said, 'I didn"t expect my name to be called out and I"m really proud to be the Dux Girl.'

Esmé"s continuing her family"s long tradition in the Games as her sister Milly was a sash girl and her brother Isaac a lantern bearer in the past. Her mum Louise was also a sash girl on two occasions.

Lantern Bearer, Alexander Paterson, 6, is equally proud to be involved in this year"s Games. He"s a fan of football who supports Man Utd and is disappointed that they lost the recent Champions League Final.

However being chosen as Lantern Bearer goes some way to making up for this.

Alexander will see a familiar face amongst the Monks this year his older brother, Jonny.

Alexander said: 'I"m really looking forward to it and I"m really excited that my brother is involved aswell.'

Standard Bearer Elect, Mark Linton was on hand on the day to announce this year"s Principals. And he knows only to well how excited the kids are looking forward to Games Week.

He said: 'I can"t wait myself to be honest. It"s been great heading off to the other festivals but it"s your own festival that you can"t wait for.

'I"m proud as punch to have been asked. I"m wanted to do it for some time but never thought I would be.

'It was also a real honour today to announce the Dux Boy/Girl and Lantern Bearer having been a Monk myself in 1995.'

This year"s Principals are: Dux Boy: Benjamin Hindley (St Ronan). Dux Girl: Esmé Pringle. Lantern Bearer: Alexander Paterson. Primary 3. Monks, Callum Robb and Euan Sanderson. Sash Girls, Caroline Steel and Zara Pryde. Primary 4. Monks, Adam Horsburgh and Robbie Bell. Sash Girls, Olivia Brunton and Helena Tipper. Primary 5. Monks, Dylan Brown and Jonny Paterson. Sash Girls, Sophie McGhee-Hilton & Katrina Kelly. Primary 6. Monks, Jakob Stewart and Johnny Lea. Sash Girls, Sophie Newbold and Bethany Thomson. Primary 7. Monks, Thomas Gillett & Robbie Gordon. Sash Girls, Courtney Dobson and Carrie Thomson.