Youth awards shortlist puts spotlight on young stars

[Kintyre Forum News]

Youth achievement awards shortlist puts spotlight on young community stars

The list of finalists for the AB Awards for youth achievement has been published. The award ceremony takes place at the Phoenix Cinema in Oban on Thursday 19 September, and the shortlist features twenty-one young individuals and four youth groups and highlights their outstanding contributions to the family, community or cultural life of Argyll and Bute. Many have made a difference to their local community by sharing their time, talent or creations, or by becoming a carer for someone close to them.

Welcoming the announcement of the finalists’ names, Lead Councillor for Community and Culture at Argyll and Bute Council George Freeman said

‘Every one of these young people is to be congratulated for reaching the finals of the youth achievement awards. They are an example to us all and I wish them well. I hope that their success will encourage other young people from across Argyll and Bute to set their standards high in all that they aim to achieve in life. We also know that all of the young people who were nominated this year for an award deserve recognition, and we should celebrate the terrific talent and sense of responsibility which they demonstrate. ‘

The awards event will celebrate all of the nominated young people, and a winner from each of the eight categories will be announced on the night:

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Young Carers
Finalists: Megan Foster (15) from Helensburgh; Iona Shanks (18) from Helensburgh; Angus Richardson (16) from Mid-Argyll

Youth Entrepreneur Award – sponsored by Samteq
Finalists: Leanne Goodall (18) from Lochgilphead; Murdo Masterson (14) from Oban; TC’s Garden Maintenance (15 and 17) from Dunoon

Youth Volunteering Award – sponsored by Argyll Voluntary Action
Finalists: Ellie MacNiven (16) from Oban; Sarah Nicolson (16) from Lochgilphead; Paul Smith (21) from Campbeltown

Health and Wellbeing Award – sponsored by the Community Health Partnership
Finalists: Dunoon Film Group (13 – 16) from Dunoon; Islay Film Making Group from Islay; Islay and Jura Connection Peer Group (12 – 18) Islay

Youth Environment Award – sponsored by SAMS
Finalists: Andrew Hughes (17) from Campbeltown; Ryan Malone from Campbeltown; Peter Tyler (14) from Tarbert

Citizenship Award
Finalists: Katie Burke (16) from Helensburgh; David McLaughlin (18) from Rothesay; Rachael MacPhail (15) from Campbeltown

Youth Sporting Award
Finalists: Alasdair Ireland (16) from Dunoon; Robert Miller (14) from Dunoon; Alison Shaw (18) from Rothesay

Youth Arts Award
Finalists: John Anthony Graham (17) from Helensburgh; Fiona McAdam (18) from Mull; Na Seudan (Tarbert folk group) (13 – 17) from Tarbert

The ceremony is fully booked, but for more information on the finalists and their achievements go to
http://www.youngscot.org/local/argyll-b ... lists-2013