I'm 14, and I've been playing flute for 2 years now, and I'm section leader of the flute section on our band, I also play piccolo.

I currently have an 8 year old Yamaha YFL225 model, one that they don't make anymore, and I am wanting to upgrade to a better flute.

Is a Yamaha or Gemeinhardt better, or is there some other brand?

Unless you Yamaha is falling apart, I would say that you have a good flute. Why upgrade? For open holes? I have compared the Yamaha student line flutes to MUCH more expensive solid silver flute (with the hole in them) and it outplayed any of them. I use on as my backup to my Powell I love it so much. So I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry for an upgrade after only playing 2 years.
It is the player that makes the flute, not the other way around. You will just be shelling out money for holes and a B foot which is never used in band anyway.

<Added>

Sorry that should say HOLES, not hole in them. I need to go to bed!

If you live in the US, you are welcome to send me your flute and I will make it close to new again. I do it for fun, so it would be free of charge.

Gee, thanx guys, you've helped heaps, and nope, sorry kara, I'm not in the US, I'm in Australia.