Yash Rampersad of Roundwood Park School, Daniel Omoregbee of Sir John Lawes School and Becky Dowse of Katherine Warington School are joint winners of this year’s Bill Hewetson Memorial Prize* and Rotary Young Citizen Award.

The awards recognise a young person’s achievements in the spirit of Rotary’s motto ‘Service above Self’ and were created by Rotary to counter the negative impact of bad news about young people.

At a dinner to receive and celebrate their awards Yash was accompanied by his father, Prashan Rampersd, Daniel by Edem Eta and Nathan Omoregbee, and Becky by Nigel and Kay Dowse along with senior staff from their respective schools.

Yash was described as a strong and motivated student, who goes out of his way to help others, for example, as maths tutor to younger students and leads groups with kindness and clarity in any setting.

Daniel’s achievements include setting up the school action climate group and leading student anti-bullying conferences. He is involved in many school productions at Sir John Lawes School, giving support and encouragement to younger students. He also volunteers at Harpenden Football Club colts team and provides IT support for the local church.

Becky is an outstanding ambassador for Katherine Warington School and has encouraged students to engage in a wide range of fundraising activities for charities including McMillan Cancer Support.

All three students thanked Rotary in Harpenden for their awards and their schools for nominating them.

They are pictured receiving their awards, a token and a certificate, from Rotary in Harpenden President Mike Greensmith.

*Bill Hewetson was a long-time member of Harpenden Village Rotary Club, being actively involved in the area of Rotary and Harpenden youth. Funded by his family, club members and supporters, this memorial prize is Rotary’s way of acknowledging his valued contribution.