Rhoose girl wins Vale Young Achiever 2007
Cowbridge Comprehensive pupil Michaela O’Neill from Rhoose has
scooped the top award in the Vale Youth Service Awards 2007.
Seventeen-year-old Michaela’s enthusiasm for youth work
particularly impressed the judges. Not only has she been an active
member of the popular Cowbridge youth centre, she has also
encouraged other young people to get involved.
In addition to her school studies she has completed the OCN
(Open College Network) Introduction to Youth Work. She has
completed several other courses including First Aid, Smoking
Awareness, Self-Harm awareness and Duke of Edinburgh training. She
also works as a lifeguard.
Michaela completed her work experience at the youth centre and
was involved in producing a film for the Open University youth work
course. She has certainly been hands-on at the centre, even
organising a re-design of the ladies’ toilets and helping to paint
them.
The awards, organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council's youth
service, are now in their sixth year. Youth workers from across the
Vale nominated more than 270 youngsters for this year’s awards.
A group of youngsters from Llantwit Major youth centre scooped
the visual arts award for the wall mosaic they designed and made
for the centre. The design has been so successful it has been
reproduced on sweatshirts.
The band ‘We invented Voodoo’ who are based at Cowbridge youth
centre won the performing arts award. A group of twelve to thirteen
year olds they recently won a recording session with Major
Music.
Youngsters from St Athan have worked hard cleaning up their
local area and they were rewarded with the environment award.
The sports award was won by a group of youngsters from Wick
youth club, who have represented the club in local and national
sports competitions. Their sports include boxing, baseball, hockey,
netball and girls’ rugby.
Youngsters from Dinas Powys youth club won the education award
for their commitment to the Romance Academy programme. Romance
academy is a sex education programme, which promotes personal
development as well as learning about relationships.
The award for citizenship and participation went to a group from
Major Music. The youngsters involved have all enjoyed developing
their music at Major Music. Wanting to give something back, they
have given their time to work with Minor Music, helping eight
to 11 year olds develop their music skills.
The global/international award went to Karl Harding and Gavin
Packer, from the Byrd Crescent youth group in Penarth. They have
taken part in a cultural exchange with young people from Africa.
Called ‘Belongings’ the project is funded by the British
Council.
Leader of the council, Margaret Alexander, said, “The awards
show the enormous amount of talent and potential in the Vale’s
young people. All the youngsters nominated can take pride in their
achievements, they are a credit to themselves and their families,
their youth workers and the Vale.”