Antonia Kyriakos took out the award for Outstanding Employee, Trainee & Vocational student at the inaugural Cumberland Young Champions Awards on Sunday, June 19.
Over a hundred young achievers from all over Cumberland were honoured at an inspirational and glittering awards ceremony.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I just hope everyone in the workplace my age always strives to be the best employee they can!” Antonia, a student of Cedron College, said.
The 17-year-old was nominated by her workplace, Kmart Merrylands, for being an outstanding member of the store’s team, where she works in customer service and layby.
The Cumberland Young Champions Awards was initiated by local entrepreneur, Brian Laul, Chairperson of Rainbow Crossing Inc., to acknowledge the achievements of our young people under 19 and to celebrate the contributions they make to our wider community. It is a one-of-its-kind event in the Cumberland LGA.
“It is my hope that these awards will inspire young people of all backgrounds to rise above their difficulties and pursue a journey of excellence,” Mr Laul said.
“We have so many talented and passionate under-19s creating positive changes and sometimes just a pat on the back, a little appreciation, can make a real difference and give them the determination to go even further.”
Mr Laul noted that the judges were impressed with Antonia’s nomination because she also manages every aspect of her own business, which she started in October 2021. Called Everlasting Florettes & Co, Antonia makes beautiful and immaculate dried and preserved floral arrangements.
The stories of achievement told from stage at the gala awards evening were truly inspirational.
Young people of all abilities, who have made outstanding contributions during the year in fields such as art, sport, academics and innovation, were applauded by an auditorium packed with local luminaries.
As the evening’s host, Julieanne Horsman from C91.3 exclaimed: “What a gathering of goodness in a single packed room!”
