IT WAS a case of cameras a'clicking and medals-all-round at Monmouthshire's inaugural Youth Achievement Awards held last week, at Monmouth Leisure Centre.
The awards, co-ordinated by the Monmouthshire Youth Access Initiative, saw 26 young people from the Chepstow, Abergavenny and Monmouth areas gather in the Leisure Centre to receive their Bronze Youth Achievement Awards. A lucky four who are yet to be selected out of the 26, will travel to St. James' Palace on 15th February as South Wales's representatives at the UK Youth's 90th birthday celebrations.
The successful young people who were all in the age range 14-18 were thrilled to be presented with their award certificates by two of Newport R.F.C.'s star players, current Fiji captain Simon Raiwalui and Wales A squad member, Paul Young. The Rugby Club's Community Development Director, Phil Davies, was a guest speaker at the presentation evening as was Peter Ellis, Monmouthshire County Council's Head of Community Learning, and Robert Brierly, Youth Achievement Awards Regional Advisor.
Mr. Brierly said, "The awards recognise achievement and help participants get more from their interests and activities whilst assisting them to plan and prepare for the future".
Whilst acknowledging the young peoples' achievement and the effort they had put in Phil Davies, in his address, was also looking at the future and what next.
He said, "Over the last few months, you've been set a variety of challenges and you've come through with flying colours. You fully deserve to be congratulated and should be justifiably proud of your achievement. However, my challenge to you tonight is don't let this award and achievement be the end of it. Instead, let it be a beginning...the beginning of a quest to do the very best you can at everything you do".
Speeches over, the young people - suitably inspired and to rapturous applause - were announced individually so that they could be presented with their certificates and to pose for photographs with Messrs. Young and Raiwalui.
The evening was very well supported with family and friends of each of the young people as well as representatives of the likes of Gwent Outdoor Centres, Monmouthshire comprehensive schools, TEC South East Wales, Gwent Police and a whole host of voluntary organisations who had all made positive contributions to the young people's many successes.