YOUNG people who make an invaluable contribution to Manx culture and life were honoured by the North American Manx Association (NAMA) today.
Each year, NAMA presents awards to under 25-year-olds who have excelled in their field. For each category, a silver medallion is specially minted.
Peter Kelly, President of the World Manx Association, and Stuart Dobson, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education and Children, judged nominations.
Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, welcomed guests to the awards ceremony at the Barrool Suite.
The award winners received their medallions from Jody Morey, President of the North American Manx Association, who is paying an eight-day visit to the Island to coincide with Tynwald Day. Her great grandfather, John Beck, was from Laxey and emigrated to America in 1864.
Winners are:
Music: Daniel Ntuibane, 16,Ramsey Grammar School (nominated by his school)
Daniel is a music all-rounder who plays the clarinet, saxophone, guitar and penny whistle. He joined Mike Boulton’s Share Na Veg group while at Albert Road Junior School and also belongs to the Manx Youth Orchestra and its ‘wind’ branch; Bee Er Dty Hwoaie and Cliogaree Twoaie. A song he wrote won the Manx original song category of the Arrane Son Mannin competition was runner-up in the Pan Celtic Competition.
Arts and crafts: Rachael Williams, 15, Ballakermeen High School (nominated by her school)
Rachael has made an exquisite ‘memory quilt’ that will be passed down the generations in her family. Featuring aspects of Manx life such as landmarks, plants and travel, with a traditional poem at its centre, the quilt demonstrates Rachael’s skills in patchwork, hand-made bobbin lace with ribbon insertion and toy quilting. Her nominators describe the quilt as ‘a remarkable achievement of skill, workmanship and dedication to task’.
Manx language: Voirrey Bethune, 16, Queen Elizabeth II High School (nominated by her school)
As a pupil at Bunscoil Ghalegagh, Voirrey was already winning Manx speaking classes at Cruinnaght Aeg and she began voicing a part for a Manx drama, now out on DVD, continuing this at secondary school. Her success at Cruinnaght Aeg also continued at her current school and she won the reading at sight in Manx Gaelic class at the Manx Music Festival three years in a row. She gained an A* at GCSE Manx when just 12 and is sitting an A-level in Manx, alongside her GCSEs, this summer.
Manx culture (under 18): Daniel Quayle, 15, Ballakermeen High School (nominated by the Yn Chruinnaght Inter-Celtic Festival)
Daniel is an outstanding speaker of Manx, musician and composer. As a participant in the Bree traditional music movement, he plays at community events Island-wide. He recently researched the future of Manx language, culture and music for a talk he delivered to the International Celtic Congress, held in Cornwall. A talented filmmaker, he has plans to create a Manx soap opera.
Manx culture (group – under 25): Share na Veg, based at Scoill Ree Gorree (nominated by the school’s Lucia Brammer)
The Manx music group founded and run by Mike Boulton practices before school starts and at every break and lunchtime. Older members encourage younger ones to improve their playing skills. The group and its musicians have won numerous prizes at the Manx Music Festival and other competitions and play in the community, at Christmastime and at the annual coffee morning for the League of Friends of Ramsey Cottage Hospital.
Manx community (general): Alice Watson, 15, Queen Elizabeth II High School (nominated by her school)
An active member of her School Council, Alice helped organise its diamond jubilee carnival day and was among students who met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall when they visited Peel. As a prefect, she helps supervise the Year 9 common room among other tasks. She volunteers at a Red Cross shop, has raised money for Rebecca House children’s hospice, helps out at a farm and has assisted at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show. She has performed at many charitable and community events.
Manx community (overcoming disability): Jack Leece, 22, Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education (nominated by the College) and Ben Carey, 15, Ramsey Grammar School (nominated by his school)
Jack is a supported learner at the College, which he attends part-time. He volunteers at his local church, helps out at a charity shop and carries out charity collections, volunteers at Crossroads’ enterprise scheme, assists Rushen FC, takes part in community events and belongs to various clubs, including the Gateway Theatre Group.
Ben, who has special educational needs, is working towards an entry level maths qualification and is a vital contributor to his school flexible learning unit’s sensory garden. He attends the Isle of Man College one day a week where he studies cookery and ceramics. Outside school, he helps out at his father’s business, driving heavy plant. He is so skilled that several farmers have sought his help on their land. After the snow storm at Easter, he helped his father clear a road from Druidale to Beinn-y-Phott, starting at 4am, shifting 12 foot drifts so farmers could reach their livestock and dragging out a stranded vehicle.
Phil Gawne, MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture and a fluent Manx speaker, then presented the awards for the most progress in Manx to Bethan Cannell, Ramsey Grammar School, and Peter Daniels, Queen Elizabeth II High School.
The Honourable Clare Christian, the President of Tynwald, gave the vote of thanks to close the proceedings. Madam President said:
‘Once again these young people have demonstrated their passion for Manx culture and their community. Their creativity abilities and community spirit are developing the ideals of these awards and making our traditional culture relevant in the 21st century.
'Our thanks are due to all those who encourage and mentor them in their endeavours, not least the North American Manx Association, which has donated the medals for winners in each category. We are delighted that its, President Jody Morey, has come all this way to present the awards to the winners.’
Photos: Top - Share na Veg with their medallion; Below - Winners with, from left, the Hon. Clare Christian MLC, President of Tynwald; Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children; Phil Gawne MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture; Peter Kelly CP, President of the World Manx Association; Jody Morey, President of NAMA
