YOUNG people who have had a positive impact in their community were celebrated last week at the Slough Youth Awards.
The event, hosted by the Slough Youth Parliament and supported by Slough Borough Council, saw gifted youngsters recognised for personal and group achievements.
The young sportsperson award went to Berkshire County cricketer and former Langley Academy student, Erin Simmonds. The eighteen-year-old is now studying sport and exercise science at Loughborough University and her dad picked up the award on her behalf. She pipped brother champion boxers, Hassan, 17, and Adam Azim,15, to the gong. Adam is the youngest ever Junior ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) champion and Hassan is the current Junior ABA champion.Their coach said the two were an inspiration to younger boxers at their gym who "want to be the Azim brothers".
Young artist of the year went to Slough poetry performing group, Empoword, who were runners up last year. The group uses poetry and rap to express complex issues encountered by young people during their lives. Saleha Latif, 19, said: "It is really kind of overwhelming since Empoword celebrated its third anniversary in August and I think our aim is to strive to bring this platform to young people."
Aadam Siddiqi,14, won the young entrepreneur award for charity fundraising through his own clothing business called Mpathy. He said: "My best friend had bone cancer a year ago and I have done a log of charity work since."
Westgate School pupil, Aaron Sennik, 14, who has Asperger's Syndrome and is confined to a wheelchair, was a runner up for the young inspiration award for his extra-curricular activities. Head of the school, Sian Hughes, said: "He is always positive. Every opportunity he has he will go out there and try to be a part of things."
Aaron added: "You can spend all day asking 'why is this happening to me' – is it going to solve anything? Not really.
"So I look at this condition as who I am and work my way around it."
Councillor Madhuri Bedi, cabinet member for children, education and families, said: “The young people in attendance are the bright future of our borough and I congratulate them on their tremendous efforts in improving and showcasing our town.”
The winner of the young volunteer award will be announced at the voluntary sector awards on November 17. Shortlisted nominees are Denesh Pawar, Aneesa Hussain and Scott Biddle.
Full list of winners from the night as follows:
Young sportsperson – Winner: Erin Simmonds, Runners up: Adam and Hassan Azim
Young entrepreneur – Winner: Aadam Siddiqi, Runner up: Xtra Art
Young inspiration – Winner: Cameron Miller, Runners up: Aaron Sennik and Salsbeel Kazi
Young environmentalist – Winner: Louise Love
Young artist – Winner: Empoword, Runner up: Kieran Way
NCS Champion School Award – Winner: Langley Grammar School
Slough Youth Parliament Democracy Award – Winners: Eden Girls and Langley Academy
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