18-year-old Julio Charles from Pointe Larue is the new ambassador for the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) for duration of one year, after having won the award for Most Engaged Youth at the 2018 Positive Youth Award hosted at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay on Wednesday evening.
The Positive Youth Award hosted by SNYC under the theme ‘Celebrating Youth Empowerment’ saw youths aged 15 to 30 who have made exceptional positive contributions towards their schools and community being recognised and awarded in a prestigious ceremony in the presence of their family, school representatives and respective youth workers.
The ceremony serves as an incentive to encourage other young people to follow in the footsteps of their peers and apply positive living values in their everyday interactions and conduct.
It also serves as an opportunity for SNYC to reinforce the importance of a youth population empowered to be resilient, wholesome individuals willing to contribute to the well-being of others and society at large.
In total, 61 youths were recognised for their positive contributions from four different categories including secondary school, post-secondary school, district level and youths from affiliated organisations.
Certificates of recognition were presented to youths by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary for the department of local government Marie-Celine Vidot, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre as well as chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence and other officials from SNYC.
CEO of SNYC Alvin Laurence congratulated all the young people for their positive contributions to their respective educational institutions and communities and urged them to continue working for the betterment of their communities and the country.
Five finalists, one from each category and one representing the inner islands, were also rewarded for their outstanding efforts, dedication and commitment towards youth empowerment. The five candidates were Daryl Adolphe at secondary school level, Julio Charles at post-secondary level, Shanice Joubert at district level, Dora Radegonde for inner islands and Ronny Marengo from an affiliated organisation.
Each candidate will be given an opportunity to represent Seychelles on an overseas youth-related mission within the next year.
However, Julio Charles was revealed as the overall winner and the new ambassador for SNYC for the upcoming year.
Julio, who is currently undertaking his studies at the University of Seychelles (UniSey), is also an executive committee member of anti-bullying campaign group Stand Up! Step Up Seychelles.
Julio expressed his gratitude towards SNYC for having supported him and having selected him as the new ambassador.
“I wish to also thank the community in general as it takes a whole society to raise youths with good values. I will also thank other youths as I am a youth ambassador myself,” Julio said.
He added that he will make use of his one-year mandate as SNYC ambassador to float the Seychelles flag at overseas events and to shed light on the positive work engaged in by many youths in Seychelles.
“I’m proud. This is not just for me but also for my family and my community,” said Julio.
Throughout the soirée, attendees were also treated to performances by local artists including Taniah, Mercenary and Xtra Big before they were invited for a lavish dinner.
The accompanying photographs show the winners in the different categories.
