Published on:
22
February 2017
The finalists to become the Clackmannanshire Young Citizen of the Year have been announced.
They are Jennie Bain, Lily Christie, Kyle Dawson, Kaitlyn Gray, Connie Henderson, Ryan Kellock, Lauren McCabe, Emma Paterson, Callum Penman, Rachel Rayner, Louise Rogers, Jessica Stitt, Rebecca Watson and Aidan Witty. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in March.
Jennie Bain volunteers for the Chest, Heart & Stroke charity, Alva Guides, and gymnastics club, along with performing as part of Hillfoots Music for Youth orchestra and being appointed a Young Ambassador the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Lily Christie is the youngest registered volunteer for the Gate charity, where she supports various projects, and fundraises for a number of charities including £2,600 during the Pedal for Scotland event cycling between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Kyle Dawson volunteers in a charity shop and is involved in charity fundraising, including for Macmillan Cancer Research, while at the same time balancing a demanding final year of school work.
Kaitlyn Gray has received a Saltire Ascent 500 award for her volunteering activities, including the youth café, Timebank, Bowmar garden project and supporting summer programmes and dance classes for young people.
Connie Henderson helps out at her local church youth club and playscheme, has received a Saltire award for volunteering more than 2,500 hours of her time and has developed new skills and confidence by helping her younger peers.
Ryan Kellock volunteers in a number of sporting activities including Easter and summer programmes, runs three football teams for S2-4 pupils and a lunchtime club for ASN pupils and volunteers for school activities including charity fundraising and careers events.
Lauren McCabe is a member of Lornshill Parliament and media committee, using her organisational skills to assist in the smooth running of events, as well as helping to run polling stations for school referendum.
Emma Paterson has volunteered and raised money for charities, is a pupil ambassador at Alva Academy, assists in pupil support education and has created a guide to dealing with stress for senior pupils.
Callum Penman volunteers with his local Beaver group, helps to raise money for charity causes including Macmillan Cancer Support at school, where he also helps out and volunteers to help others.
Rachel Rayner volunteers to work with young people in her local community and raise money for charity, including dance activities and the Girl Guides, and school fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Louise Rogers competes in athletics and swimming competitions and encourages people to stay fit and healthy by organising girls hockey, volleyball and rugby teams, while achieving Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award and fundraising for charity.
Jessica Stitt has volunteered for the past six years at a local primary school running club, and organised many kinds of fundraising activities to help raise significant sums for Macmillan Cancer Support at school.
Rebecca Watson competes in dance competitions and helps run dance classes, along with volunteering with sports development to help young children, and went on the school expedition to Malawi which she helped fundraise for.
Aidan Witty volunteers to help provide play opportunities for disabled children, at his local church Sunday school and has shown patience and resilience in helping a family member with additional support needs.
Provost Derek Stewart said: "These young people have all shown amazing dedication and effort to improve the lives of the people in their communities, and it will be a great pleasure to meet them at the awards ceremony."
Calum Gullen is the current Young Citizen of the Year, and was recognised for his volunteer work at Rachel House Hospice and his work as an Autism ambassador at Alva Academy.