Youngsters lined up to do Lothians proud in awards

Six nominees from the Lothians will attend an awards ceremony in Glasgow next month.

The awards celebrate 11-26-year-olds who have made a positive impact on the lives of others and made a difference in their communities.

Emma Donaghy-Gray, 21, from Whitecraig in East Lothian, is a finalist in the Diversity and Citizenship category after sharing her experiences of overcoming post-natal depression at the Parenting Across Scotland event last year.

She said: “It was a nice surprise to reach the final. I’m quite proud.”

Young poet Adam Bojelian, from the New Town, is a finalist in the Arts category.

The blind 12-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, spells out his verses by blinking – which is the only way he can communicate.

Singer Nina Nesbitt’s talents have also earned her a trip to the Hilton Hotel on April 26.

The 17-year-old from Balerno is a finalist in the Entertainment category. She said: “I felt honoured when I found out I was a finalist, it’s quite a big thing.”

West Lothian’s Graeme Black has been nominated in the Community category. The 21-year-old from Whitburn works with drop-in centres, the YMCA and helps youngsters with learning difficulties.

Joanna Montgomery, 24, from South Queensferry, was shocked to reach the final of the Enterprise category. As a student, she developed an interactive pillow case which connects couples who are living apart by letting them hear the heartbeat of their beloved.

She said: “I was kind of surprised to reach the final because I didn’t nominate myself ”

The Lothians is also represented in the Diversity and Citizenship category by KICK – Kids In Care Krew – a group of Midlothian youngsters in residential, foster or kinship care.

THE NOMINEES

Joanna Montgomery, 24, from South Queensferry, is a finalist in the Enterprise category

• Joanna developed an interactive pillow case which connects couples who are living apart by letting them hear the heartbeat of their beloved.

“Pillow Talk” aims to connect couples in long-distance relationships through sensor rings worn in bed at night and a panel which slots inside their pillow cases. The sensors pick up heartbeats and wirelessly transmits them via smartphone apps on a mobile phone to the other person’s pillow.

Adam Bojelian, 12, from the New Town, is a finalist in the Arts category

• Adam, who is severely disabled and communicates solely through blinking, was selected for his talent in writing poetry – despite writing all his poems by blinking to spell out words and phrases.

Balerno teenager Nina Nesbitt, 17, is a finalist in the Entertainment category

• Nina is touted as Scotland’s next big singing sensation. After playing to sell-out crowds at the 02 ABC in Glasgow in October last year as the support act for Ed Sheeran, Nina launched a competition to find support acts for her own mini-UK tour.

Emma Donaghy-Gray, 21, from Whitecraig in East Lothian, is a finalist in the Diversity and Citizenship category

n Emma was nominated after sharing her personal experiences of overcoming post-natal depression after her son Zak was born in April 2010.

KICK, Kids In Care Krew, have been selected as finalists in the Diversity and Citizenship category

• KICK is a group of young people in Midlothian who are in residential, foster or kinship care.

Graeme Black, 21, from Whitburn in West Lothian, has been selected as a finalist in the Community category

• Graeme has been involved with a local drop-in centre over the last few years, which offers support and information to young people.