2013 Pride Awards Ceremony a grand success

9 December 2013

2013 Pride Awards Ceremony a grand success

A spectacular and inspiring ceremony at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, 8 December, capped off the 2013 Pride Awards. Presentations of Pride Awards in seven categories, interspersed with entertaining performances, delighted a large audience of nominated finalists, their families, friends and supporters, sponsors and special guests from a broad cross-section of communities.

The entertainment was culturally diverse. Suparna Basu's Indian dance group performed two classical Indian dance forms – Bharatnatyams, which originated from the temples of Tamil Nadu and was performed magnificently by five young children; and Kathak, which originated from the nomadic bards of ancient Northern India and was performed by three adult performers. All were exquisitely dressed in national costumes to create a visually rich spectacle.

16-year-old Hayley Griffiths, performed her three-speed championship tap dance routine that saw her reach a top six finalist position at the open New Zealand Tap Dancing National Awards.

Nimba, a percussion and drumming polyphonic ensemble, and the Moringa Dancers, a Wellington based African-Inspired dance troupe, combined in an exclusive collaboration to deliver an original, high-energy performance inspired by traditional West African music and dances.

The final act of the evening was the debut public performance of ‘Seeds of Hope’, a song written specifically for the Pride Awards and performed by singer/songwriter Niels Gedge, who invited and got audience participation in singing along with the chorus.

But the real stars of the show were the young people who were recognised for their successes. Both they and their stories were diverse, and videoed interviews with them and their nominators thrilled and inspired the audience. The young winners and Pride Award categories are:

• Zavier Boyd, Carers Award, which is awarded for a young person who goes out of their way help out and takes care of family members and others around them
• Nathan Lewis, Community First Award, for a young person who demonstrates an outstanding level of involvement in the local community
• Latoyamonet Noanoa-Rewiti, Courage Award, for a young person who demonstrates a clear attitude of being able to stand up for themselves and for others, and showing strength in coping with adversity
• Ruaumoko Toatoa, Performing Arts/Creative Achievement Award (Junior), for a young person who demonstrates a creative expression and original ideas in the arts
• Zara Misseldine, Performing Arts/Creative Achievement Award (Senior)
• Thor Burns, Academic Award, for a young person who demonstrates consistent progress and effort at school or in pre-employment training
• Catherine Pot, Health & Wellbeing Award, for a young person who encourages and inspires healthy living and participation in physical activity.
• Kira Vogt, Youth Leadership Award (Junior), for a young person who shows consistent strong, positive leadership skills with others around them
• Clench Enoka, Youth Leadership Award (Senior).

Ken Daniels, Chairman of the Pride Awards Trust that administers the Awards, said that “this year’s Pride Awards Ceremony again gave the community an opportunity to support and celebrate some very special young people who can inspire us all to achieve better things, and to show how proud we are of them, and that we appreciate them and their achievements. Our young winners this year are truly inspiring, and we congratulate them all”.

About the Pride Awards Trust:
The Pride Awards Trust is the registered charity that administers the Pride Awards, with the aim of encouraging communities to recognise, value, celebrate, and be inspired by their young people. It was established after the inaugural 2010 Pride Awards, and comprises prominent community members, parents, and professional and youth advisors. The Pride Awards celebrate the success of young people (aged 5 to 17) who live in the Greater Wellington region.

www.prideawards.org.nz

ENDS

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