On one sunny Thursday evening, I and 29 other shortlisted young people attended the ‘Bourne Brilliant Awards’, at The Royal Bath Hotel, celebrating the amazing achievements of young people across Bournemouth.

The ‘Oscar Themed’ ceremony was the host of 10 different categories which enabled those attending to see the true brilliance that Bournemouth has to offer, celebrating the hard-working, dedicated and highly achieving young people that we are so lucky to have.

The evening invited people to learn about the hard work that young people do in our local areas which, I believe, often goes unnoticed. However, on that night, each and every young person shortlisted was celebrated, regardless if they had won an award or not, making each and every single one of them feel like the brilliant young people that they are.

Once a year this amazing celebration happens, which raised the question in my mind – “Why are young people celebrated only once a year?”

On this night, I saw Young Carers, Young Sports Stars and Young Heroes who I have never heard about before – Why is this?

I will make this section short and sweet, as I do not want to dwell on the far too often negative and uncelebrated image of positive young people. As I must say that this year The Bournemouth Echo has been brilliant with regards to the coverage of the Bourne Brilliant Awards, providing updates in both paper and via their online site.

Which I find to be really refreshing however, I do feel that the printed publications, (not just our lovely locals), I mean nationally, and the television should feature more young people, more positivity and more celebrations to let young people know that they are appreciated and that they are not just a statistic or a stereotype, because they are not.

I’d like to say a big well done to all the young people who were nominated and shortlisted, receiving an invite and a certificate on that evening, and an even bigger well done to all the amazing young people (including my fantastic self) who took home an award on that lovely night. ‘tis a truly inspirational thing to see.

Keep up the good work, And to those who did not win, or get shortlisted… This may help you.

Each and every young person can be who they want to be and if they are celebrated, more often, maybe they will realise this which will then give them the confidence needed to stand up, strive for success and gain what it takes to truly achieve and excel in life in the way they want to.

We all know times are hard these days, with Voldemorts return and Dumbledores demise and the uproar at the Ministry, but the young people of tomorrow must not let the dark times, the dark lords, and the dark dementors distract them from their hopes, dreams and futures.

Young folk, if you can believe, you can achieve, and when you achieve others will believe and when they believe they will succeed.

If you think you haven’t done anything worth celebrating… Do something.

If people don’t believe in you, just believe in yourself, they’ll soon see sense and follow through.

If you don’t love yourself, No one else will.

Stay brilliant children, because you were ‘Bourne’ brilliant.