Young Scot Awards 2009: THE WINNERS!

It’s not everyday that young people are openly congratulated for the good things they do. It’s even rarer when the red carpet gets rolled out and the celebrities play second fiddle to people who’ve demonstrated skill, ambition, passion and bravery.

The young people and their families seemed overwhelmed at the experience as the dedicated youth workers mingled and chatted with them and the award sponsors. It was a great opportunity for everyone to meet and share the hard work everyone put in to make the Awards so significant.

Lloyds TSB Scotland Sports Award. Kevin Stewart, 17, Dundee

The first category, Sport, was presented by Sir Chris Hoy. The triple gold medal winning, knight of the realm received a massive applause. Sam Linton, Operations Manager from award sponsor Lloyds TSB announced the winner, 17 year old Kevin Stewart from Dundee, who is all set to follow in Hoy's tracks as a cycling champion. Unfortunately the dedicated athlete was training abroad.

Scottish Arts Council and Young Scot Arts Awards, Hawick High School Fashion Class, 16-18 Hawick

Young Scot chairman Alan Blackie and TV style stalwarts Colin and Justin present the Art's Award to the glamorous girls from Hawick High School Fashion Class Emma Jolly collected the award for the class who, for the past two years have manufactured garments from recycled materials and encourages links with the local textiles industry.

SQA Volunteering Award, Robert Magee, 17 Bathgate

Robert Magee was the deserving winner of the SQA sponsored Volunteering Award. The selfless 17 year old has worked tirelessly for a number of years to give children a good start in life, particularly those with special needs. He's worked with Bernardo's Homesit and an after school care club.

Careers Scotland Cultural Diversity Award, Wiktor Zaborowski, 13 Coatbridge

The very first winner of Young Scot's Cultural Diversity Award, Nifraz Razeem was on hand to deliver the gong, sponsored by Career's Scotland, to this years winner: 13 year old Wiktor Zaborowski. The charming young man has dedicated his time to helping other Polish pupils adapt to life in Scotland. Working with young people and teachers he has made a real difference to many people. He was overcome with a bout of stage fright on the night, shaking his head when offered the microphone to speak, but beaming with pride when he received the award.

Glasgow City Council Enterprise Award, Kirsten Dunnett, 22 Dundee

Looking glam on the night and wearing the highest heels in the building 22 year old Kirsten Dunnet from Dundee collected the Enterprise Award. Sponsored by Glasgow City Council the Award recognises Kirsten's amazing success with her boutique fashion store Missy La La's. Having made more than £100, 000 in less than a year the entrepreneur has put in all the hard work herself sourcing, buying and styling the clothes she sells.

Historic Scotland Heritage Award, Mark Nevin, 21 East Calder

Mark Nevin scooped the Heritage Award, sponsored by Historic Scotland for his work on some of Scotland's best loved buildings. His knowledge of historic artisan crafts, dedication and pride shine through as he tirelessly renovates buildings such as the National Galleries of Scotland.

NHS Health Scotland, Health Award, Planet Pink Café, Ballingry Fife

NHS Health Scotland sponsored the Health Award. Picked up by Planet Pink café from Fife. Staffed by several young female volunteers aged 13 to 16 the café promotes healthy eating to tackle childhood obesity.

SEPA Environment Award, Robert Stoves, 16, Cardenden, Fife

16 year old Robert Stoves collected the Environment Award. The young Fifer has been working with the National Trust for Scotland's Community Partnership programme. He has cleared overgrown areas around the Trust's Pineapple House and developed long term conservation projects at Inveresk Lodge Garden.

Entertainment Award, Tommy Reilly, 19, Torrance, near Glasgow

We welcomed back The Saturday's to present the Entertainment Award. The winner was 19 year old Tommy Reilly who recently scooped T4's Unsigned Act, landing him a record deal with Universal Music. Tommy took to the stage to sing his single 'Give Me a Call' after collecting the award and his performance was astounding, a real star in the making!

Sunday Mail Readers Award, Young Scot of the Year 2009 Stephanie McGougan, 18, Maybole Ayrshire

The Sunday Mail's Reader's Choice Award is always the toughest to judge. Although the entrants were inspirational and amazing individuals they have all struggled against incredible difficulties. This year's winner, 18 year old Stephanie McGougan, despite losing both her parents within 18 months managed to secure her family home and establish a stable life for her younger brother Robert. The pair were emotional as Stephanie collected the award and Robert beamed with pride as his sister was recognised for all the dedication that she gave to her family.

It was double success that night as Stephanie received the overall Award for Young Scot of 2009. The teenagers amazing story represents the very spirit of the Awards - courage, dedication and independence. Stephanie is one amazing girl! Emotions were even higher as she took to the stage again to receive the award from Adam Ingram, MSP for Children and Young People and Kathleen Marshall, Scotland Commissioner for Children and Young People. Flanked by fireworks she seemed awestruck at her success and her brother rushed to wait for her as she came of the stage.

Homecoming Scotland, Homecoming Award, Liam Dunn, 17, Livingstone

As this is the year of Homecoming, the Scottish Government sponsored a unique category for this year's awards. The prize was given to the individual who could capture the very essence of Scotland in an original piece of art work. Adam Ingram, presented the Award to Liam Dunn who took the exceptional literary works of Scotland's poets, philosophers and writers and paired them with a passionate individual from the Tartan Army!

SCCYP! Democracy and Citizenship Award, Noman Tahir, 21, Glasgow

Kathleen Marshall presented the Award for Democracy and Citizenship. Noman Tahir was this year's winner after establishing the Scottish-Islamic foundation. Along with a variety of voluntary positions, including editing 'Witness' a newspaper aimed at promoting ethnic minority communities in Scotland, Noman has also worked for the investment group Morgan Stanley and with Alex Salmond at the Westminster Parliament. He is an exceptional individual who has been pivotal in creating partnerships with mainstream organisations and other young Muslims.

The Scottish Government Community Award, Shared Responsibility, Girvan

Shared Responsibility were the winners of the Community Award, sponsored by the Scottish Government. The group of Girvan Academy pupils worked with partners such as the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and the Colombian Government to reduce the demand for drugs such as Cocaine in Scotland. Not only have they created fantastic promotional material, they have also worked on an exchange programme with group of Columbian young people

ACPOS Unsung Hero Award, Andrew Kellock, 12 and John Clark, 13, Inverness

The beautiful actress Gemma Atkinson was on hand to present the Unsung Hero Award to Andrew Kellock and John Clarke. Aged 12 and 13 the two boys steered their school mini bus to safety after the driver collapsed at the wheel. The two boys, dressed in their finest kilts were delighted to have won and fairly pleased at a wee kiss from Gemma Atkinson!