The overall winner was Euan McCarthy (8) who, after being born with severe physical disabilities has endured many operations and months of pain – but lives life to the full and always helps others.
Earlier this year he took part in D’Auvergne School’s charity walk from the Waterfront to Beaumont to raise money for charity.
There were nine winners in total who were recognised for their community service, caring, academic and sporting success, talent in the arts and bravery.
The finalists for the awards – sponsored by the Channel Islands Co-operative Society and held in conjunction with the Jersey Evenings Post’s first Pride in Jersey Awards – were chosen by a public vote, and a panel of judges selected the winners.
Euan’s parents, Darrel and Tina, and twin brother, Leland, were bursting with pride when he received the Variety Award for Courage and they couldn’t stop smiling when he was named overall Young Star of the Year.
He was born without a left foot, with just two fingers on his left hand, a clubbed right foot and eye problems, but his family say his courage is inspirational and he always has a smile on his face
Mr McCarthy said: ‘It is amazing for him to win because he is not used to winning anything, bless him.
‘He’s got such courage – he is not afraid of anything and he’s really outgoing and outspoken.
‘We are extremely proud of him and his determination to never give up.’
A huge fan of Dr Who, Euan – who attends D’Auvergne Primary School – said he would like to spend his £5,000 prize money on a Tardis for the garden, even though it came in travel vouchers from the Co-op.
Variety’s chief Barker Sarah Auckland said it was marvellous to hear the inspirational stories of so many young Islanders.
‘This is always such a wonderful day and to be able to recognise these children for their achievements was absolutely awesome,’ she said.
The event was also attended by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John McColl, who presented Euan with the Young Star Award, and Lady McColl.
Euan celebrated his win with an energetic dance routine yesterday that had the 200-strong audience at the Radisson Blu Hotel clapping along in time – and his impromptu performance on stage in perfect time to the novelty song, Star Trekking, was made even more impressive bu the fact that he wears a prosthetic leg.
Although Euan won the overall prize, event compere Kevin Pamplin said all the finalists were winners as deciding which of them deserved awards over the others had made the judges’ task extremely hard.
Mrs Auckland said this year’s awards, which were held in conjunction with the Jersey Evening Post’s Pride in Jersey Awards, had produced an extraordinary standard of nominations.
They included a young gymnast aiming for the Olympics, primary school-age children who care for a parent, academic achievers, children who have overcome disabilities and a talented cook who represented the Island in a national competition.
‘I am so proud of Jersey’s diverse and vibrant young community – children are the future and this event is so important to recognise their spectacular achievements and to encourage their aspirations,’ she said.
And there was a special bravery award for former Grands Vaux primary school pupils Brandon Moignard and Seth Fernandes, both aged 11 years, who saved a classmate from drowning at the Langford swimming pool.
Brandon’s mother, Charlene, and grandmother, Collette, beamed with pride when he said: ‘We saw him floating face down on the water and we did not know what was going on, so we turned him over, lifted his head out of the water and shouted for the lifeguards.’
Doctors who treated the unnamed boy praised Brandon’s and Seth’s life-saving actions.
The Young Sports Star, Bryony-Jasmine Ludlow (10) is a name to look out for in the future as she is receiving specialist training from Team GB gymnastics coaches.
Although she was lost for words, when prompted by her proud parents, Giselle and Neil, she said she was aiming to compete in the NatWest Island Games and the Olympics.
Tomi and Cath Owens’ decision to educate their son, Caleb, who has Asperger’s syndrone, at home resulted in him being named Young Academic Star.
Not only has Caleb made great progress with his lessons, his improved social skills are having a positive affect on family life.
Mrs Owens said: ‘I am really pleased for Caleb.
‘He has made good progress as he works so hard, and he has changed so much since we started home tutoring.
‘All the people who knew him before say he has changed completely so we are really pleased for him to win.’
Since a group of Islanders founded the children’s charity Variety in Jersey in July 1968, its supporters have raised millions of pounds for disabled and underprivileged children in the Island.
The annual awards are sponsored by the Channel Islands Co-operative Society.
Young Star of Courage
Winner: Euan McCarthy.
Finalist: Matthew Kirkland (15) who for many years suffered severe bullying at school.
Young Star of the Community
Joint winners: Alice Millen-Swainston (13) who did odd jobs, made and sold cakes and cut her 22-inch long hair to raise money for Age Concern’s Liberation Day lunch and Tom Hughes (14) who organised a digital learning day at Haute Vallée. Tom is also a volunteer for St John Ambulance.
Finalists: Bella Smith (8) who was nominated for her work for Autism Jersey and Georgena Pizuira (16) who is a voluntary youth worker..
Young Star Carer
Winner: Mont Nicolle School pupil Julia Ford (8) who is the main carer for her mother who has an aggressive from of terminal cancer.
Finalist: Milo Baudains (8) who helps cares for his disabled mother and Nicole Gueguen (9) who helps to care for her two younger sisters who both suffer from dwarfism.
Young Star of Sports
Winner: Bryony-Jasmine Ludlow (10) is a gifted gymnast who is being trained by a British Gymnastics coach in the Island and in the UK. She trains for more than 20 hours a week and regularly travels to the UK for intensive coaching.
Finalists: Elisha Stott (10) another talented gymnast and Raquel Goncalves (11) who overcame a fear of water to pass the National Curriculum standard for Year 6 pupils.
Young Academic Star
Winner: Caleb Owens (12) has Asperger’s syndrome. Since he began home schooling he has made great progress academically and socially.
Finalists: Izzy Kelly (16) who came through a difficult time to become a valued student and charity fundraiser, and Fern Moolasiwa (14) who arrived in Jersey seven years unable to speak English and, having worked extra hard at school, is now a successful student at Hautlieu.
Young Star of the Arts
Winner: Emma Preisig (16) is the Rotary Young Chef of the Year who made it to the regional finals where she triumphed with the winning dessert. The judges said they were impressed by her use of local produce. The Beaulieu student says she wants to become a chef when she leaves school.
Finalists: Singer Sara Strudwick (16) overcame stage fright to qualify for the X Factor, and Lucy O’Connor (16), whose confidence through dancing contributed to her becoming
Head Girl at JCG.
Special Award for Bravery
Joint winners: Brandon Moignard and Seth Fernandes, both aged 11 years, whose quick thinking saved a classmate from drowning.
THE amazing achievements of 20 young people were celebrated yesterday at the Variety Club’s Young Star of the Year Awards, which were this year organised in partnership with the Jersey Evening Post’s Pride of Jersey awards.
The stories of these inspirational Islanders reveal many things about the strength of the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity.
In every case, the selflessness they have shown has come with a smile.
At yesterday’s awards, Euan McCarthy was declared the overall winner.
The eight-year-old d’Auvergne pupil was born without a left foot, just two fingers on his left hand, a clubbed right foot and problems with his vision.
He now has a prosthetic leg, which he loves.
And yet, in spite of all the challenges Euan has faced, he has been a positive and happy child who has brought great joy to his family.
This year, he completed a charity walk from the Waterfront to the Gunsite Café. As his father said, Euan never gives up.
His determination and positive attitude make him a role model for all.
Congratulations to Euan and the many other exceptional young people whose achievements were celebrated yesterday.
Jersey is proud of each and every one of you.
