Children and young people’s outstanding contributions awarded at special event

Over 90 young people attended the High Sheriff’s Outstanding Young Citizenship Awards 2011 yesterday evening (Tuesday 29 March 2011) which recognises the fantastic work done by young people around the county.

The event, now in its sixth successful year, was proudly hosted by Shropshire Council at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The awards, which recognises the significant contributions made by outstanding young citizens across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, was organised by the High Sheriff of Shropshire Mr Hugh Trevor-Jones and Shropshire Council’s children and young people’s services.

All schools and colleges from both Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin were invited to nominate any young person/people that they felt had demonstrated their commitment to citizenship working in the following categories:

• Voluntary work and community activities
• Environmental activities
• Family activities
• Work activities
• Political activities and other, eg international exchanges.

All young people that are nominated received a certificate, with two overall winners, one from Shropshire and one from Telford and Wrekin.  Many of the young people nominated had achieved recognition in all categories.

This year’s outstanding achievement winners were Maya Carswell age 10, from the Grange Primary School, Shrewsbury and Jaime Skitt age 14, who attends Southall School in Telford.

Maya undertook a six-week training programme to become a peer mentor role and became an invaluable school member, supporting many children on the playground and around the school.  In addition to this, Maya has played a key role in helping to enhance her local community and is an active fundraiser helping the school raise £65 towards the Blue Peter charity appeal to support children in Bangladesh and the UK to have access to healthier lifestyles.

Maya’s teacher said:

“Maya is without a doubt one of the most considerate and caring children that I have taught in my 30 years of teaching; so it comes a no surprise to me that she has been nominated for this award.”

Jaime, an active member of the school council, has been influential in many of the positive changes at his school, and as part of his work on healthy schools has helped to negotiate a new dinner menu.  Jaime is also a key member of the school’s radio station and uses his broadcasts to promote community events. Jaime, along with his radio team, are also involved in many charity events including Children in Need and Red Nose Day.

Jaime’s tutor said of him:

“Jaime is a fine example of what a responsible young citizen should be, and I am proud to nominate him for this award.”

High Sheriff of Shropshire Mr Hugh Trevor-Jones said:

“The nominations this year were really outstanding.  These really are an amazing group of young people and I am extremely impressed by their achievements.  My sincere congratulations to Maya, Jamie and all the young people nominated.  We have had a wonderful response to the citizenship awards and the event was a great way to recognise and celebrate the excellent work of young people.”

The High Sheriff added:

“These nominees represent the very best of what young people can offer the wider community in Shropshire and I welcome their participation and their commitment.”

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said:

“I have been absolutely amazed and touched by the many stories I heard at this prestigious event.  Citizenship is not just learning about our place in the world, which is important, but also what we can do by supporting and helping others in order to make our local communities better places in which to live.  These children are an inspiration to us all, and I wholeheartedly congratulate the winners and those nominated, who have demonstrated unconditional passion and enthusiasm in supporting their peers and their local communities.  I am sure their families, friends and colleagues are extremely proud of them.”