Big attendance to honour young people at prize ceremony

The Lord Lieutenant for Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh, Janet Bowen welcomed over 200 people to Strathpeffer Pavillion last night for her Youth Award Scheme’s first annual prize giving. The Lord Lieutenant created this innovative scheme to identify and reward examples of exceptional achievement by young people in Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh who have demonstrated exceptional Volunteering, Leadership, Commitment or Determination in four specific categories being Speaking out for Young People; Achievement in Sport; Achievement in the Arts and Helping Others – including young carers.

The Lord Lieutenant was thrilled with the number of entries and the large attendance at the prize giving and commented, “I thought it important to recognise the exceptional contribution of young people in the area and our committee were humbled by the exceptional quality of the entries for the various categories. It made choosing the eventual runners up and winners extremely challenging and I was pleased we were able to honour each individual tonight as in our eyes, they are all winners. I must especially thank the Nominators, as without their input and nominations this event would simply not have taken place. Thanks also to our main sponsors being the Global Energy Group and the Highland Council as their funding support was essential.”
Nominators, parents and those successful young people packed into Strathpeffer Pavilion for the evening and each entrant received a Commended Certificate and £10 book token, with the runner up receiving a chosen item worth £100 and the winner a chosen item worth £500 in each of the four categories. These monies being used to purchase items they requested to assist continue their interests. The Lord Lieutenant also surprised the audience and Loran Matheson with a Special Award and a cheque for £100.

Roy MacGregor the Chairman of Global Energy Group and  Councillor Maxine Smith,  Vice Convenor of the Highland Council attended the event and assisted with the prize giving.

Councillor Smith  said, “I was so pleased to represent Highland Council at this special event to honour young people. In hearing of their achievements within the various categories, it made me appreciate that a lot of young people are working so hard in their communities in many different ways and this is to their great credit. I think we must thank the Lord Lieutenant, Janet Bowen for the creation of this new event to recognise young people and I do hope the event continues for many years to come”.

The main awards were as follows:

Achievment in Sport:

• Runner up: Tom Hoffmann from Strathpeffer for his achievement and success in the sport of fencing and supporting club activities.
  
• Winner: Fin Graham from Strathpeffer for his passion and work in mountain biking and supporting club activities. 

Achievement in the Arts:

• Runner up: Sanara Davidson from Alness for her inspirational support and work in art.
  
• Winner: Cleodi MacKinnon from Braes in the Isle of Skye for her exceptional work in dance.

Speaking out for young people:

• Runner up: Cassie Armstrong is from Alness and was recognised for her acheivements in her membership of the Scottish Youth Parliament and being a representative of Youth Voice.
• Winner: James Goodwin from Invergordon for his exceptional contribution in being an active member of the Ross & Cromarty Youth Forum, being a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and Highland Youth Voice. 

Helping others:

• Runner up: Corrina Palmer from Alness received the runner up award for her exceptional and hard work in the School Youth Achievement Scheme and continued assistance on various school related projects.
  
• Winner: Eilidh MacAskill is from Struan on the Isle of Skye for her commitment and exceptional work in being the leading light in the Skye Youth Drop In, where her continued work is inspirational to all around her. 

Lord Lieutenant Special Award: Loran Matheson