SBN International Youth Awards - 21/12/11

Charby Ibrahim writes:

I had the honour of accepting an award on behalf of NAB Schools First Student Award winners, Adam Alahmad and Ali Amood (Granville Boys High School - NSW) last Saturday, 10 December at Trinity Grammar Centre for the Arts).

They took out first prize in the inaugural School Broadcasting Network's (SBN) International Youth Awards. Ali and Adam were outright winners in the 13 -18 boys category for their before school café project, which provides healthy food in a safe environment for students.

SBN Patron, world renowned Futurist Dr Peter Ellyard gave the opening address during the ceremony, and also headed the panel of judges who included Graz van Egmond, Executive Director, Banksia Foundation and Victoria Wilding, CEO, Shift Foundation.

Ali and Adam received official glass badges, certificates, a cheque, and will be profiled in Positive Impact Magazine (USA) for the next edition in 2012, as part of the magazine's new Australian launch.

The SBN Inc International Youth Awards are designed to acknowledge the numerous ‘unsung heroes’ – young people who are leading the way by:

• caring for community
• being committed to social justice
• creating initiatives and benchmarks for an equitable and sustainable future
• furthering the understanding and integration of indigenous or international culture

Notable mentions on the day, and SBN finalists from the NAB Schools First Student Award Program also included:

• Brooke Snow, 17 years, Atherton, QLD
• Thea Depler-Depold, 17 years, Westminster, SA
• Amnah, 13 years and Maryam Arain, 14 years, Al Siraat, Vic
• Kasim Ibrahim, 12 years and Michael Schreiber, 12 years, Rivergum Primary School, Vic

I was so proud to hear the genuine praise that the judges had for each of our finalists, and of course, for Adam and Ali. I was approached on a number of occasions during the intermission- students, teachers and community members were keen to pass on their congratulations to all the finalists. They were amazed that so many of the finalists came from the Student Award winners.

The team at NAB Schools First wishes all the Student Award winners very best during the holiday season, and we look forward to continuing the strong relationship we have with all the student award winners in 2012.