Two inspirational young people share Youth Community Champion honour

TWO inspirational youth advocates have both been named Youth Community Champions. 
Grace Jackman, Mount Lourdes Grammar School, and Owen McKinley, Enniskillen Royal Grammar, were joint recipients of the award, which seeks to recognise the contribution 
of young people in their communities. 
Grace’s advocacy, including addressing Stormont, has sparked community dialogue and inspired action for local improvements, while Owen has made a significant impact as a member of Youth Parliament for Fermanagh South Tyrone. 
While Grace could not be in attendance last week, Owen spoke on his delight at receiving the joint honour. “I suppose this award shows that young people will be recognised if they take steps to make their voices heard,” he said.
“People will listen, and these voices can make a real difference.
“I am glad that people are respecting the voices of young people more now, and I am very happy to be here.”
Owen added that he wasn’t expecting the award, and to receive it jointly was “a good outcome”.
“I wasn’t expecting to win, to be honest! I am very pleased, and I am happy with the joint honour. I think two of us sharing the award is a good outcome, for definite.”
Accepting her award following the ceremony was 17-year-old Grace Jackman from Lisnaskea, who said: “I feel really quite shocked I have won this award! I was against a really great competitor, so congratulations to Owen for winning as well. 
“It was a shock! I was away on holidays, so getting the news there was a real shock, so I am really grateful to have won the award.”
Miss Jackman was nominated for the award after she spoke at Stormont on a range of issues affecting the people of Fermanagh, including issues at the South West Acute Hospital and the exclusion of Fermanagh from the All-Ireland Rail Review.