Mia Beckett of Coatbridge High School and Jenna Young of Braidurst High School were among 184 inspirational young people presented with a Diana Award during an online ceremony on Wednesday 1 July.

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the awards are the highest accolade a young person can get for social action or humanitarian efforts.

Mia is the driving force behind the Mental Health Ambassador programme at Coatbridge High School.

She is described by her head teacher a dedicated student who demonstrates empathy towards others, leading her peers effectively and inspiring them to take action. 

She has worked hard to promote an accessible service for pupils which supports their mental health.  Mia delivers well-being sessions on topics including stress, anxiety, depression and self-harm, helping students to better understand what these terms mean and how to recognise them.

She encourages pupils to talk about their feelings which has helped to break down barriers and tackle the stigma around mental health.

Mia also co-led the school's 'Aiming Higher in Malawi' project, which ensures young women are able to access education by visiting the communities the school supports in Malawi. 

The awards were created in 1999 and shine a spotlight on inspirational young people, aged nine through 25, who have carried out exceptional humanitarian or social action work.

And Braidhurst High School's Jenna Young is a firm believer in the power of (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) STEM education. She has taken on a leading role at her school's robotics club in the teaching and training of junior club remembers. She gives up much of her free time to manage and lead their learning.

Jenna, who hopes to pursue a career in engineering, has attended robotics competitions at both local and national levels, leading to an increase in pupil participation, particularly amongst girls at her school.

She said: "I am absolutely over the moon to have received the Diana Award.  I feel so honoured and proud to have achieved such a prestigious award and was quite speechless when I got the call to let me know.

"I love being involved with the robotics club.  I enjoy helping younger pupils and seeing how my actions encourage them to achieve their own robotics goals.

"Having now left school, I would like to continue with my love of STEM through a career in teaching with a focus on science and hope to continue to help with robotics wherever I can.

"I'd really like to thank all the teachers at Braidhurst High for everything they have done for me.  I'd especially like to thank Mr Hussain, Mr Paterson and Mr Mearns as well as Lisa and Michael from New College Lanarkshire for their continued help and support.  Without them none of our robotics achievements, nor my achievement of the Diana Award, would have been possible."