BRILLIANT young people who show enthusiasm, determination and passion for their community were celebrated at the 2021 Tendring Youth Awards.

The winners were unveiled at a glitzy presentation evening in Clacton’s Princes Theatre with the judges praising all those who were nominated and the finalists.

Celebrating their fifth year, the awards recognise achievements by young people across a range of categories – along with a category for adults who support young people in Tendring.

Harwich Haven Authority is the headline sponsor of this year’s Tendring Youth Awards, which are supported by Tendring Council and Essex County Council. Other sponsors are Actual Radio, Tendring Careline, the Princes Theatre, Galloper Wind Farm and Nova Training.

As always the judging panel had a difficult job assessing the high quality of nominations received, particularly in the special Covid Champion category introduced for 2021.

Karen O’Connor, Tendring Youth Awards chairwoman, said she went home feeling inspired after the awards evening.

“Every year we receive so many amazing nominations it is always an almost impossible job to pick the finalists, let alone the winners and this year was no exception,” she said.

“To read about their endeavours – whether in their personal or school life, or in the community – is enough to lift your spirit, but that goes through the roof when we speak to them at the awards night.”

“These awards are to celebrate our young people, as a whole, and the winners in particular are hugely inspirational; whether you’re close in age to them or 80 years older we should all aspire to be more like these fantastic young people.”

Karen was presented with a surprise award on the night by the rest of the Tendring Youth Awards committee in recognition of her hard work and dedication in founding, and continuing to run and be the driving force behind the awards.

Will Lodge, Tendring Youth Awards Vice-Chairman, added: “Karen is the spirit of the Awards, putting her heart and soul into them all because of her passion for young people and wanting to celebrate all that is positive about the youth of Tendring – and, as we saw last night, there is an awful lot to celebrate.”

Recognised on the night was former Tendring Youth Awards host Jack Speck, who was given a special award in thanks for his five years compering the evening.

Alongside the award presentations were performances by B Collective, Stagestruck and Colchester Gang Show, as well as speeches by dignitaries.

The night was watched on by Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant for Essex, guests and sponsors, including Harwich Haven Authority.

Winners: Volunteer (Young Person aged 11-22) – Charlie Latimer; Arts (Young Person aged 11-22) – Craig Noakes; Community Improvement (Young Person aged 8-22) – Elsie Pryer; Young Carer (Young Person aged 8-19) – Merson Griggs; Learning Achievement (Young Person aged 11-22) – Zak Myers; Outstanding Achievement (Young Person aged 11-22) – Louie Whelan-Dorney; Personal Achievement (Young Person aged 8-22) – Adam Baraka; Covid Champion (Young Person aged 8-21) -Ronnie Wilson; The Environmental Initiative Award (Young Person/group aged 8-22) – Harwich Volunteer Police Cadets; Unsung Hero (Adult) – Jay Barham; Committee’s Award - Toby Carlton.