Shropshire High Sheriff presents Young Citizen Awards
[gallery] Young people from across Shropshire were praised for their bravery and selflessness when High Sheriff, Diana Flint, presented awards to students from across the county.
The Young Citizen Awards ceremony took place at Telford College of Arts and Technology and The High Sheriff's Special Award went to Leanne Rawlinson who is a student at the college.
In the citation, Leanne "showed maturity beyond her years when she comforted an extremely vulnerable woman who had been attacked in a stairwell".
Leanne persuaded the woman her to call the police and the evidence she was able to provide, helped jail the attacker while Leanne "stayed remarkably calm and helped prevent important evidence from being destroyed".
The youngest award winner was the only primary school representative, 11-years-old Kacey Robinson from Ketley.
Since her mum is often not well, Kacey, who goes to the Meadows Primary School and Nursery, is an invaluable help at home as well as helping little brother Jamie cope with his homework. She is also a valuable Peer Mentor at her school.
Mrs Flint told her audience including civic leaders and the Vice Lord Lieutenant Col Edmund Thewles as well as proud parents and friends: "We hear so much about young people who cause difficulties in our society and I do hope that these awards will help everyone recognise how much good there is in our younger generation."
Scott Sobanja of Madeley Academy and Christopher Phillips, Bridgnorth Endowed School, were Telford and Wrekin overall winner and Shropshire overall winner respectively.
Other inspiring stories included Jelena Sofronijevic, Newport Girls' High School who was chosen by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow to put forward her views during a live debate in the Commons and Joseph Grogan of Thomas Telford School who has worked tirelessly for charities during his time at the school including organising nearly 600 gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
