Stefan scoops Nottinghamshire Young Person of The Year Award
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council chairman Joan Taylor presents Bilsthorpe 19-year-old Stefan Prest with a certificate after he was named the winner of the Young People of the Year (YOPEY) award.
The awards ceremony, which took place last week, recognised the contributions of young people from across Nottinghamshire and Stefan won after securing a high number of votes.
Ten-year-old Sally Austin, of Ollerton, who helps her deaf mother communicate and is proficient in sign language, won the junior YOPEY award.
Stef won the award with the most points in the history of the YOPEY award according to founder Tony Gearing.Cllr Joyce Bosnjak, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said, "This is a wonderful achievement! Seeing so many young people who do so much good in our county being recognised! We are all really proud of these young people who are showing the true image of youth."Matt Rooney, Deputy County Commissioner for Nottinghamshire scouts said, "It was a great surprise that all of Stef's hard work has been recognised in this way! It was also good to be surrounded by so many amazing young people who are all doing extraordinary things in their local communities." "It was also interesting that Stef was not the only Scout to be shortlisted! So well done to everybody and well done to Stef!"Stefan won the award for the work he did to set-up a cyber cafe and youth club in Bilsthorpe, securing funding for computers and staff. He was elected as the Member of Youth Parliament for North Nottinghamshire in 2005 and chaired a district youth assembly, he had just stood in a local election as conservative for Clipstone and he also represents Nottinghamshire Scouts on the national council of the Scout Association.
"I was shocked to have won the award because all of the finalists were doing some great things," said Stef. "It doesn't feel like hard work, I just enjoy what I do and I want to make things better for young people!" he finished.Sir Andrew Buchanan, Lord Lieutenant and President of Nottinghamshire Scouts said, "This is a special day for Stef, his family and the Scouts. Stef is just one of the thousands of Scouts in Nottinghamshire that engage in positive activities week in and week out! Nottinghamshire is a better place thanks to young people like Stefan Prest"
