Inspired Vol 4 (2014) by Character Scotland

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We call it inspire>aspire because it lea others to help define their own aspiratio Commonwealth Games have left a lastin

In 2014 over 35,000 young people from the magazine we capture some of the m have shown that they have been inspired

www.inspire-aspire.org.uk

ads young people through a process of discovering more about themselves and about ons. Every poster completed in this way is first-hand evidence of how the Glasgow 2014 ng legacy in young people.

Scotland and a further 20,000 from across the Commonwealth completed a poster. Inside most compelling content from inspirational young people across the Commonwealth who d and have the aspirations to lead a generation.

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Supporters We would like to thank the following organisations for making the values poster programme possible

The mission of the John Templeton Foundation is to serve as a philanthropic catalyst for discovery in areas engaging life’s biggest questions. These questions range from explorations into the laws of nature and the universe to questions on the nature of love, gratitude, forgiveness, and creativity. Our vision is derived from Sir John Templeton’s commitment to rigorous scientific research and related scholarship. The Foundation’s motto “How little we know, how eager to learn” exemplifies our support for open-minded inquiry and our hope for advancing human progress through groundbreaking discoveries. www.templeton.org D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltdis a private company based in Dundee. The company has significant interests in UK newspaper and magazine publishing. Amongst other publications it owns The Dundee Courier and Advertiser, The Aberdeen Press and Journal and The Sunday Post. It also owns The Beano, The Dandy and Woman’s magazines My Weekly and The People Friend. It also owns Puzzler Media Ltd., (one of the world’s largest publishers of Puzzle Magazines, Crosswords and Sudoku), and Parragon Publishing Ltd., which publishes and sells some 90 million books each year worldwide. The company has interests in commercial television, and in Internet and online businesses, and is a major shareholder in Mothercare. www.dcthomson.co.uk The Garfield Weston Foundation was established in 1958 by Willard Garfield Weston, a Canadian businessman who arrived in the UK with his family in 1932. He was the creator of Associated British Foods and the Foundation was endowed with the donation of family-owned company shares. As a result, the Foundation is today the ultimate controller of the company. The trustees today are all lineal descendants of the founder and they remain committed to continuing the ethos that has made the Foundation one of the largest and most respected charitable institutions in the country. It gives them as much pleasure to help a small local community as a major national organisation and they are prepared to consider applications covering a wide range of charitable activity. www.garfieldweston.org

Claire Enders founded Enders Analysis in 1997. Claire is one of the most experienced analysts and forecasters in UK and European media and telecoms. Her company, Enders Analysis, is one of the leading independent research companies in the UK and focuses on research, analysis and specialist expertise across the UK and European sectors. Some 150 financial, corporate and regulatory organisations subscribe to Enders Analysis’ independent research reports. www.endersanalysis.com The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues is a unique and leading Centre for the examination of how character and virtues impact on individuals and society. It offers world class research on the importance of developing good character and virtues and the benefits they bring to individuals and society. A key conviction underlying the existence of the Centre is that the virtues that make up good character can be learnt and taught. We believe these have largely been neglected in schools and in the professions. It is also a key conviction that the more people exhibit good character and virtues, the healthier our society. As such, the Centre undertakes development projects seeking to promote the practical applications of its research evidence. www.jubileecentre.ac.uk

The Scientific and Medical Network was founded in 1973 by George Blaker. It has grown over 35 years into an educational charity delivering courses, events and publications on interdisciplinaryideas in science, medicine, philosophy and spirituality. The emerging interdisciplinary fields of noetic science and consciousness studies are key areas of interest. We are a membership organisation. Our members form part of a worldwide community of individuals who are searching beyond conventional scientific and religious paradigms for new answers and new questions. Membership is open to all who agree with our mission, aims and values. www.scimednet.org

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Contents 6 8 8 10 11 12 60 64 76 78

Welcome Mark Beaumont Feature Endorsements Julie Thompson Band 4 Hope UK Winners International Finalists International Winners WWI Teacher Feedback

12 12 12 13 14 15 15 16 16 19 19 20 20 23 23 24 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 36 37 37 39 39 39 39 40 41 41 42 42 43 45 45 46 46 47

Baldragon Academy Balfron High School Belfast Model School for Girls Bellshill Academy Birchgrove Comprehensive School Cairneyhill Primary School Carmichael Primary School Catshill Middle School Coedcae School Comely Park School Dalmellington Primary School Douglas Ewart High School Elie Primary School Errol Primary School George Heriot’s Junior School Glasgow Academy Good Shepherd Centre Grove Academy Gryffe High School Hamstead Hall School Hawick High School Holy Family RC Primary School Hyndland Secondary School Inverurie Academy Langholm Academy Pencoed School Radyr Comprehensive School Raglan Primary School Renfrew High School Ruthvenfield Primary School Sanday Community School South West Fife Youth Achievement St Andrew’s High School St Angela’s Ursuline School St Colm’s High School St George’s School for Girls St Gregory’s Catholic School St. Joseph’s Primary School St. Mary’s Episcopal Primary School St. Mary’s Grammar School St. Ninian’s Primary School St. Pius X College Stranraer Academy Sullivan Upper Preparatory School Sullivan Upper School Tain Royal Academy

47 48 49 49 50 50 52 52 55 56 59 60 60 60 60 60 61 62 62 63 63 63 64

The Green School Tiffin’ Girls School Tryst Centre Turriff Academy Ullapool High School Victoria College Victoria College Preparatory Vyners School Waid Academy Wallace Preparatory Department Watford Grammar School Seri Mulia Sarjana International School Dr Khastagir School KIIT World School Indraprastha School Step by Step School St Mary’s DSG Ikusasalethu High School St Anthony’s Girls College The School of St Jude John Kennedy College Rosslyn Academy Dandenong South Primary

64 64 65 65 66 66 66 67 67 68 69 70 70 71 71 72 72 72 73 73 74 74 74

C.C. Sweeting Chittagong Cantonment Public College Hilda Skeene Primary Seri Mulia Sarjana International School GCHS Santchou Epiphany of our Lord School Nukutere College Falkland Islands Community School Loreto Convent School Springdales School Lunzu Secondary School Billabong High International School St Ignatius College John Kennedy College ESEM Adeboke Comprehensive High Norfolk Islands Central School Educ Aid St. Mary’s DSG Dr. John Garang International School Kurunduwatta Royal College The School of St. Jude Trinity College Nabbingo

Edited by DAVID LORIMER Content Managed by NICOLA ENGLAND Designed by LIAM HOWARD & DON WATSON | www.careersmedia.co.uk Published by THE CAREER STUDIO Printed in the UK by THE MAGAZINE COMPANY The Inspire-Aspire Values Poster Awards is a programme of Character Education Scotland Ltd registered charity number SCO40962. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily the views of Character Education Scotland or its trustees. Picture Acknowledgements: Cover Nelson Mandela (Press Association) P13 Andy Murray (Christopher Johnson Uploaded by flickrworker), P14 Nadia Elena Comaneci (Dave Gilbert - Uploaded by flickrworker), P17 Martin Luther King (Dick DeMarsico - World Telegram staff photographer), P19 Leonardo Da Vinci (Public Domain), P20 Michael Phelps (Press Association), P21 Malala Yousafzai (Russell Watkins - Department for International Development), P22 John F. Kennedy (Cecil Stoughton - White House), P24 Jane Goodall (Jeekc - Self-published work), P25 Tupac Shakur (Makaveli75 - Own work), P27 Dalai Lama (Yancho Sabev), P28 Cornelia ten Boom (Pmsocialmedia), P29+69 Nelson Mandela (South Africa The Good News - Uploaded by flickrworker), P30 John Lennon (Photo by Roy Kerwood), P32 J.K. Rowling (Daniel Ogren - Uploaded by flickrworker), P33 Walt Disney (Boy Scouts of America), P34 Nick Vujicic (Christliches Medienmagazin pro - Uploaded by flickrworker), P36 Joan of Arc (Miniature from the 15th century), P37 Isaac Newton (Sir Godfrey Kneller), P38 Anne Frank (Source - http://www.noobpeople.org/various/anne.jpg), P40 Wilma Rudolph (New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection), P41 Usain Bolt (Erik van Leeuwen), P43 Malcolm X (Ed Ford, World Telegram staff photographer), P44 Stanley Martin Lee (Edward Liu - Stan “The Man” Lee), P44 Michael McKillop (Press Association), P46 Louis Braille (Agence Rol), P49 Rebecca Adlington (Richard Gillin from St Albans), P51 Audrey Hepburn (Bud Fraker), P52 Jessie J (Eva Rinaldi Uploaded by MyCanon), P53 Mark Colbourne (Press Association), P54 Oprah Winfrey (Greg Hernandez from California), P55 Lady Gaga (aphrodite-innyc from new york city), P57 Rosa Parks (Unknown - USIA), P58 Helen Keller (Los Angeles Times photographic archive), P61 Muhammad Ali (Ira Rosenberg), P62 Susan B. Anthony (Engraved by G.E. Perine & Co.), P64 Bob Marley (Eddie Mallin), P65 Albert Einstein (Ferdinand Schmutzer), P66 Andrew Carnegie (Theodore C. Marceau - Library of Congress), P68 Bill Gates (DFID - UK Department for International Development), P70 Mother Teresa (Túrelio), P72 Lionel Messi (Christopher Johnson - Flickr), P75 Mohandas Gandhi (Unknown - Uploaded by flickrworker). Acknowledgments: We would like to acknowledge Nicola England’s excellent work in pulling together and managing all of this fantastic content. This magazine has been produced for charitable purposes. Any proceeds from the sale of this publication will go towards the continued funding of the values poster programme administered by Character Education Scotland. Character Education Scotland, The Career Studio, Granary Business Centre, Coal Road, Cupar Fife KY15 5YQ Email: admin@character-scotland.org.uk Tel: 01334 844900 TAKE PART in 2015 www.inspire-aspire.org.uk © 2014 Character Education Scotland Ltd. All rights reserved.

AWARDS MAGAZINE CONTENTS

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Welcome

from the Programme Director

David Lorimer

“We realise the importance of our voices when we are silenced.” Malala Yousafzai

The transformational impact of the project is expressed in some sample feedback below:

Welcome to our 2014 Inspire-Aspire Magazine based on our Commonwealth Games theme of Global Citizens in the Making. I am writing this only a few weeks after Glasgow 2014, which exuberantly expressed the spirit of the city in a similar way to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics - there was a palpable excitement in the air and a welcoming friendliness throughout the Games. As a Legacy 2014 project, we were lucky enough to be invited to attend the finals on the Thursday evening and to take part in the terrific roar as Scotland captain Eilidh Child came down the home straight of the 400 metres hurdles to take the silver medal. It was all unforgettable.

Aankhi Poddes Akshar School, India I have learnt a lot about myself through this project. It has helped to think so deeply about myself for the very first time. I have learnt that there is a lot more to think than just about your surroundings. I have discovered how committed we should be towards the world we live in and how we must be visionary and think about doing good for our world.

In these pages we hope that the young people will inspire you, the reader, with their vision and commitment. The content is extracted from student posters and consists of quotations and fictional characters chosen by the students along with their reflections on inspirational figures. The exercise also helps them to deepen their self-knowledge and self-awareness, as well as challenging them to define their vision for a better world and their aspirations for the future. This year, we reached a record 55,000 students from 30 countries. We held our award ceremony in June at Glasgow University with over 800 people attending the primary and secondary events in the Bute Hall. Around the world record cyclist Mark Beaumont presented the awards along with Lachlan McWilliam, co-founder of Band4Hope. Some winners from England, Wales and Northern Ireland were also able to attend. Mark explained how his dreams were born at about the same age as the young people he was addressing as he looked at his dad’s car atlas and considered cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End.

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Chong Lee Shin Maximilien John Kennedy College, Mauritius I have discovered a lot of things about myself. This poster has pushed me to work on the qualities I want to get. Also I am now more determined in accomplishing my goals for the welfare of the world. It has sort of awakened me, and I have a much clearer view of my future, my potential and what I will become. Chijoke, Ijeoma Josephine Timi N/P School, Nigeria I have learned through this project that until you find out and embrace the revelation of who you are, you can never experience your manifestation. This project has changed my lifestyle and my outlook. I am now a new person. Keone Young Ikusasalethu High School, South Africa I’ve learned that every second in life counts especially when you’re not taking it seriously. I’ve learnt that no matter how hard the situation turns out, there’s always a way out. I’ve learnt that in life you can really be someone in the future if you start working on it today. Amy Buchan Auchmuty High School I have learnt about many other inspiring people

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and what other people in the world go through. This poster has really made me think about what I could do to help people in my community. The things people do in their lives for other people or how they excel with their disabilities really makes me proud to be who I am but also makes me want to achieve more.

parts of Africa then worldwide.”

Malala Yousafzai, quoted above, was the favourite inspirational figure behind Nelson Mandela, about whom many young people from around the world wrote; also about the courage of his inspiration Martin Luther King:

“Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” Albert Einstein

“The story of Martin Luther King is one that I will always keep close to my heart as it reminds me to stand up for what I believe in and to never give up. He has taught me to believe and achieve.”

“A bad attitude is like a flat tyre, you can’t go anywhere till you change it.”

“Martin inspired me because he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in. He taught me to stay true to myself, and not to be afraid to stand up for what is right.” Many young people drew real inspiration from their chosen figures: “Samantha Kinghorn - I will always remember her example showing that no matter what life throws at me, aim high, be determined, keep positive, never give up and strive to do my best.” “Mark Colbourne is an inspiration to me because he has never let his disability stop him in his journey. And he doesn’t let his disability stand in the way of his dreams. I really admire his persistence and determination and his ability to hope and dream. It has given me the belief that anything is possible. And if you believe, work hard, set yourself goals and have faith in yourself, then anything is possible!” “I admire all that Mohandas Gandhi who is also known as Mahatma Gandhi did because they were out of persistence, perseverance, care, patience, hard work and patriotism. Through all that he managed to achieve his goal of enabling India to gain her independence and the people to gain their freedom. I believe if I try to be like him and follow his values then I can change the world positively, starting from my homeland “Uganda” to the other

Among the quotations they selected were the following: “You can’t put a limit on anything, the more you dream the further you get.” Michael Phelps

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Milton Berle

“I don’t need easy, I just need possible.” Bethany Hamilton “Failure is a great teacher if you are open to it.” Oprah Winfrey We are enormously grateful for the opportunity of bringing this project to schools through the generosity of our sponsors, especially the John Templeton Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation, who have expressed their continuing confidence in the programme through their generous support. Our Olympic and Paralympic Programme was selected for special presentation to the Templeton Trustees. I am also most grateful for the support of my colleagues Ronnie and Kath Davidson, Julie Thompson, Alex Gregg, Jason Penman, Nicola England (also for her transcription); and a special thanks to Don Watson and Liam Howard for their design skills in this magazine. I leave the last word to Abigail Akpan from Nigeria: “If we could but recognise our common humanity, that we do belong together, that our destinies are bound up in one another’s, that we can be free only together, that we can survive only together, that we can be human only together, then a glorious community, a glorious nation and a glorious world would come into being where all of us lived harmoniously together as members of one family, the human family. This is my mandate.”

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Mark Beaumont race, where he smashed the previous World Record by a staggering 82 days. He followed this with a 13,000 mile ride down the length of the Rockies and Andes, climbing the highest mountains in Alaska and Argentina. Off the bike, he has ocean rowed through the high Arctic and survived after capsizing whilst rowing the Atlantic. Mark is also passionate about sharing his and many others sporting stories, and has filmed a series of successful BBC documentaries. This includes presenting the build up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as the Queen’s Baton relay has made its way around 70 nations and territories.

This year’s inspire>aspire Awards were presented by Adventurer and Broadcaster, Mark Beaumont. Mark is a truly inspirational figure and first made fame for an 18,000 mile round-the-world bike

“I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the incredible efforts that so many young people had put into their posters. From the elaborate designs and the thoughtful words, you could see that this project had sparked a lot of discussion and a real passion to express themselves. Judging between such an impressive show of talent is a very difficult task! Inspire-Aspire is a wonderful program that really encourages pupils to think about who they admire and the sort of person they aim to become.”

Endorsements Debbie McLeod

Development Officer, Education Scotland The range of deep thinking reflected largely in the posters was impressive. It has also been great to see the creativity and innovative approaches that have been used by the young people to put across their ideas. A great range of inspirational figures were chosen with some lovely surprises in the bundle.

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Una Beaumont This was a most inspiring and challenging pleasure. Each poster was thoughtful and carefully produced showing insight, sincerity and creativity. I hope these young people enjoyed the experience of writing down their hopes, dreams and thoughts.

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Klaus Mayer

Paul Zealey

Tremendously enjoyed reading about the visions of our future citizens – we are in safe hands! The creativity and depth of thought the candidates display is truly inspirational. Could have easily spent another few hours on this.

A pleasure to see young people’s insight into their own inspirational figures and how they can motivate action for positive change.

Development Officer, Games Legacy, Education Scotland

Denzel Darku

Head of Engagement & Legacy, Glasgow 2014

Sue Holvey

Director, Commonwealth Games Council for Wales

I’ve been inspired by the commitments and dedication of the young people. They’re all winners at the end of the day and these opened my eyes to realise that there is more people who are willing to change life at this young age which gives a good prospect to the future.

The finalists were all honest about their strengths and weaknesses as well as their future aspirations. Much thought, effort and care was evident in the execution of the youngsters work and the creativity of some was amazing. They drew inspiration from a wide mix of people from all walks of life and many of the quotations used linked to their own hopes for the future.

Scott Lamond

Tuvi Orbach

Member of Scottish Youth Parliament

Director, Scottish Youth Parliament Throughout the judging it struck me about the real depth that was put into how the young people have been inspired and who by, from world leaders to friends and how it has affected them. The most interesting thing was when asked “What is your vision for a better world?” The applicants really hit home not with big aspirations but how they aimed to achieve them.

Joe Wilson

Head of New Ventures, SQA I was impressed most by the personal insight that young learners have and by the scope of their ambition to make the world a better place through their contribution. I found the aspirations truly inspiring.

Steven Kidd

Education Program Manager, Glasgow 2014

Judging the posters was a really rewarding, but very difficult process – there were so many excellent examples that choosing winners was often based on very minor differences. To see the hard work and creativity which has been put in is heartening. The level of insight and maturity shown by the entrants really demonstrates the power of inspiration!

The Inspire – Aspire is really a wonderful initiative – although it is simple – it is planting a seed to inspire young people to think about meaningful life.

Linda Kalimba

Rwanda High Commission I found the experience of judging so engaging and a very deep channel of conveying the ideas from our young generation. My question is how do we get the best ideas to be showcased and implemented either in the Commonwealth or the nations where the participants originate?

Louise Guillaume

Royal Commonwealth Society This competition incites the young people to reflect on themselves. I believe it is very positive for them as it gives them a better understanding of the person they are and who they want to grow up to be. I had a really good time reading the posters and thought they were very inspirational.

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Inspire>Aspire Team 2013 - 2014 has been an incredible year at Inspire>Aspire; our mission was to seize the opportunity of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and use it to ‘inspire a generation’ and we succeeded in reaching more than 35,000 pupils in Scotland and 55,000 in total throughout the Commonwealth. Taking Inspire>Aspire ‘global’ has been everything we hoped for, and more! I had the privilege of taking a trip in March to share the programme with teachers and pupils in India and Sri Lanka and I came back feeling incredibly inspired and full of hope. The motivated and smart pupils in India made me feel excited about the future of this developing country, especially the potential of their young population. And the dedication and warmth I observed in Sri Lanka really made me think about who I am and what I can do to be more like these new friends that I admire so much. As a result of going global we now have a resource that offers teachers and pupils a fantastic insight into the beliefs, values and goals of young citizens throughout the Commonwealth; I have personally experienced how much we can all grow and learn from being global citizens so I urge you to have a look here: www.inspire-aspire.org.uk/international Inspirational Figure – The Spirit of Humanity: Freedom, Diversity, Peace Nelson Mandela is always a popular inspirational figure chosen by young people through the Inspire>Aspire program. In 2005 Nelson Mandela spoke at the Live 8 concert in Johannesburg and in his speech ‘Be that great generation’, he said: “Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times. So much of our common future will depend on the actions and plans

AWARDS MAGAZINE INSPIRE>ASPIRE

of these leaders. They have a historical opportunity to open the door to hope and the possibility of a better future for all. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.” A pupil inspired by Nelson Mandela said… “My vision for a better world would be to support people who are struggling with family breakdowns, especially single mothers. This is a problem around the world, as many family breakdowns are due to war, famine and disease, as well as relationship issues. Government, communities, schools and world leaders (Nelson Mandela) need to do their best to try harder to acknowledge when something is not quite right, and to give support.” Being involved in ‘Inspire>Aspire: Global Citizen in the Making’ makes me believe that this generation CAN be that great generation. Julie Thompson – Programme Manager

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Band 4 Hope Lachlan McWilliam, co-founder of Band4Hope spoke at our awards ceremony in June. The Band4Hope Project is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers people to spread hope through trackable wristbands passed on to raise money for charity and inspire acts of kindness. Band4Hopes are ethically handcrafted copper and zinc wristbands from Africa. Each one is engraved with a unique ID which enables them to be passed from person to person and tracked online, encouraging people to carry out acts of kindness and raising donations for charity for years to come.

The concept is fun, interactive and simple. Purchase a beautiful Band4Hope band online, enjoy wearing it and feel empowered to make a difference, then pass it on, allowing the chain of hope to continue. You can then login and see who’s been wearing your Band4Hope, where it’s been on a map, the distance travelled and how much money it’s raised. Wear them with pride, feel their magic, send them on their way, then follow their journey. A modern day message in bottle! Get yours at band4hope.com

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UK Winners Heather Nicoll

Baldragon Academy “Be yourself - everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” Corai Burnett Andy Murray inspires me because he tries so hard to win and he doesn’t give up until he has won. He tries so hard in his tennis career. Andy Murray inspires me to try harder at tennis and to stay in tennis clubs and to not get annoyed if I don’t win because it is just a game!

Kim Denton

Balfron High School “The greatest glory lies not in never failing but rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” Nelson Mandela Sadie Kane is my favourite character because she’s had a very tough life and then is thrown in something new, different and quite scary. She taught me sometimes you have to make sacrifices and face your fears. Also sometimes you have to put what you want on hold for other people’s sake. Nelson Mandela inspires me in many ways.

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Firstly, because of his amazing efforts to end apartheid. Not only because of what he did but because of his determination, persistence and strength to keep going. He also worked hard at school and achieved a law degree. Even though he was arrested many times and sent to prison for a total of twenty-seven years he kept fighting for what he believed in. Because he kept fighting after a long struggle he achieved what was right! I believe he saved more than just the people he was fighting for. I believe he saved the people he was fighting against. I think he saved them from themselves and from making horrible decisions. I think Nelson Mandela was a brilliant man and he did a brilliant thing. Once he had ended apartheid in South Africa he became president, retiring after one term. He also started the following charities: Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (donated 1/3 of his salary each month), Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela Rhodes Foundation and 46664 (this was a prison number of his). I think he is a brilliant man who achieved many great things.

Jessica Crawley Belfast Model School for Girls “I hate thinking about the future, the future scares me… I like to think about today and live in the moment.” Talia Joy Castellano My inspirational person is Talia Joy Castellano. She is my inspiration because she never gave up fighting cancer, she finally beat the cancer and was on her way to recovery but sadly it came back and she was too weak to fight it again. Talia got very ill and passed away not too long ago. When she was seven years old, Talia Castellano began experiencing fevers and abdominal pain. When an X-ray on February 14, 2007 showed unusual anatomical displacements in her chest,

OFFICIAL AWARDS MAGAZINE 2014

DY M U RRAY

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M A H

During the time I have spent with this project I learned that I am different from what I think to what other people think which I have found is a good thing because I can improve on things for myself and other people to make myself the best I can be.

Castellano was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare paediatric childhood cancer of the peripheral nerve system. She underwent various types of therapies and treatments and was initially declared cancer-free, but relapsed three times in the next six years. During that time she was diagnosed with myelodysplasia syndrome and progressive neuroblastoma. There are no known treatments to tackle both cancers at the same time although she was given only months to live, a novel drug therapy provided her with an additional eleven months.

Amy Walsh Bellshill Academy “Remember you are different than anyone else for a reason, find that reason and run with it.” Tay Jardine

Hannah Watson Gourock Primary School

P!NK, also known as Alecia Moore, inspires me because she is not afraid to speak her opinions and thoughts, and because she has had a bad past and came out of it with a smile on her face. Alecia grew up with her mum and dad divorced, she spent most of her time writing songs. Things got so tough for her so she turned to drugs. Luckily she managed to get over her addiction and start her music career. In interviews Alecia talks about her past and says that she doesn’t want any of her fans to turn to drugs or hurt themselves in anyway. Alecia is now a mother to a two year old and continues to make music. P!NK’s story interests me because she has been through a lot and has survived it and now puts music out there for people who can connect to that music. Also the way she understands how much her music means to her fans and will be there for her fans.

AWARDS MAGAZINE UK WINNERS

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Aaliyah Aslam

Birchgrove Comprehensive School “You define beauty for yourself, society doesn’t define your beauty. Your spirit and your faith define your beauty.” Lady Gaga “Every day may not be good…but there is something good in every day.” Beauty and the Beast is my favourite story because it shows that the human eye does not always see the truth and beauty doesn’t just mean your appearance. It also shows how much the beast trusted Bella and how he did anything he could to find true love. I love fairy tale stories like this as it always has a very important message behind it. For example, in the Little Mermaid, the message is be yourself, if you change you will regret it and want your old self back. My inspirational figure is Lady Gaga. I know some people who don’t really know much about her wouldn’t find her inspiring but I do for many reasons. Lady Gaga constantly preaches about equality and freedom. She believes no matter who you are, you are worth something and deserve happiness and equal rights. She has delivered speeches at gay rallies saying how important it is for gay people to have the same rights as everyone else. Her song “Born this Way” has many inspiring lyrics and an important message. Lady Gaga along with her mother Cynthia Germanotta in 2012 launched the Born this Way Foundation. It focuses on youth empowerment and issues like bullying, self-confidence and well-being. During Gaga’s 2012 tour she had a tour bus called the ‘Born Brave Bus’ which helped young

By taking part in Inspire-Aspire I feel I have learned a lot more about myself, my good and bad qualities and more importantly who I want to become. InspireAspire has allowed me to express myself and see who really inspires me.

”

Molly Farquhar Hazlehead Primary School

AWARDS MAGAZINE UK WINNERS

people in the area receive counselling, share their problems and meet young people just like themselves. In 2012 Yoko Ono gave Gaga along with four other activists the ‘Lemonono Grant for Peace’ award, Lady Gaga has also contributed to many charities and its causes. Most of all she’s helped me. A few years ago I went through one of the toughest times in my life. She helped me feel strong and brave. Recently, a few bad things also happened and she made me rise above the people who didn’t like me and made me accept my imperfections. She’s such a sweet person. She inspires me to inspire.

Katherine Davies Birchgrove Comprehensive School “A person is a person no matter how small.” Dr. Seuss My inspirational figure is John Barrowman. He has qualities such as being principled, cheerful, committed, resilient, visionary and hardworking.

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All of these qualities I admire because he has developed and demonstrated them whilst fighting for equality and helping young people’s sexuality and diversity charities. He is my inspiration because he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in even when people disagree with him or try to put him down. The main reason I find him inspirational is because he is different and isn’t afraid to show people who he really is. I admire his work he has done through helping young people to not be afraid of who they are especially with his work with Stonewall. I’d like to be true to myself and everyone around me like John is because I believe everyone should be comfortable with who they are. I have always wanted not to care what people think of me like John. John Barrowman is my idol and a close friend having recently proven and showed to me that everyone should be happy with who they are and that everyone is different - but that shouldn’t matter.

Leon Gray Cairneyhill Primary School “To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.” Muhammad Ali

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My favourite character is the spider from the Robert the Bruce story, because he didn’t give up. He taught me to keep trying even if I don’t succeed, try, and try again. David Beckham is a famous footballer but he also does a lot of charity work. I find him inspiring because he helps people by showing them if you work hard then you will go really far in life. David Beckham is inspirational because of the charity work he does too.

Daisy Shannon Carmichael Primary School “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Lao Tzu Marie Curie must have been hard working as she discovered something nobody had ever discovered. She was also caring. I think Marie Curie is an inspirational figure because she helped loads of people with her treatment for cancer. I would like to be a doctor because I get to care for people the way she did.

Sophie Shannon

Carmichael Primary School “Everything will be fine in the end. If you don’t feel fine, then it is not the end!” My favourite story is ‘Why The Whales Came’ by Michael Morpurgo. My favourite character is the Birdman as he is actually a very caring individual, who had been judged on by a couple of rumours about him cursing Samson although, this is not correct. I like this book because it teaches you a valuable lesson; never judge somebody by what you have heard, judge them after you know them. My inspirational figure is Nadia Elena Comaneci as she is a very well-known gymnast who has scored a perfect ten six times. Nadia from Romania was the first female gymnast to receive a perfect ten in an Olympic Gymnastic event in 1976 in Montreal. Nadia became a gymnast at the age of six when Karolyi spotted her and a friend doing cartwheels in the school playground. She was then chosen to attend B’ela Kardyis Gymnastics School. Nadia has many different qualities and values. Some of these include dedication as well as self-discipline, determination and always hard-working. I admire Nadia because of her amazing achievements. I would like to be resilient like Nadia Comaneci and be as successful as her.

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Harriet Crump

Catshill Middle School “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” You probably haven’t heard of Daniel Gallagher, unless you do dog agility. Daniel is two classes above me at my dog agility club, Doredale Dog Agility. He participated in the YKC dog agility at Crufts 2014. Daniel is fostered and has been through a rough past. The reason he inspires me is because he has gone through a rough time but he got all the way through to the semi-finals and then got disqualified because the dog went over a wrong jump (trust me, dog agility has very tough rules!!!). He has told me that he is leaving to go somewhere else this year because he will be eighteen, but he said he will visit all the time and he will do dog agility whenever he can! The reason that he is my inspirational character is that he has, as you already know, been through a rough past but now he is flying through the sky, just the sky is the agility course.

Harrison Button Coedcae School “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” Audrey Hepburn “You can’t put a limit on anything, the more you dream the further you get.” Michael Phelps Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta Georgia, a state in South America. He was born on the 15th January, 1929. His family lived quite well; they always had enough to eat and plenty of clothes. Unfortunately, Martin was born into a twisted world where white people looked down on black people. Furthermore, segregation and discrimination were not against the law. Whilst only six years old Martin was sent to a ‘blacks only’ school whilst all his friends were sent to a

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‘whites only’ school. His mother then told him about the world and all the places where black people weren’t allowed to go: schools; cafes; cinemas and even some churches. But she also told him not to let this upset him as he was every bit as good as they were. The person who inspired Martin Luther King was Mahatma Gandhi and he was a man who freed India from British rule. To do this he used the method of peaceful protesting assisting the Indian community’s struggle for civil rights. After his return to India in 1915 he set about organising peasants, farmers and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. Gandhi first concentrated on easy poverty. Martin Luther King looked up to Mahatma Gandhi as he stood up for what he believed in even though the odds were against him, but he did it in a peaceful nature. This gave Martin Luther King an idea. After a high profile case in which a black lady named Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white woman, Martin Luther King put a bus boycott in action, this was when the Civil Rights movement really came into action. He urged black people to refrain from using any form of public transport. This was because he didn’t want the segregation to continue. By using the form of a boycott it showed he wanted things done peacefully but effectively. After a long 382 days of bad business in public transport the Supreme Court determined that the segregation of blacks and whites on a bus was unconstitutional. In 1963 America had reached boiling point where racial discrimination was concerned. Peaceful civil rights demonstrations around the country were turning violent as the authorities used any means necessary to break up the protests to end segregation at diners, swimming pools, lunch counters and multiple other places. Most of these protests ended with police using severe force on the black demonstrators including police dogs, tear gas and electric cattle prods. Huge numbers of demonstrators including children were arrested, along with King himself. The march on Washington for jobs and freedom

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was a defining moment in the civil rights movement, and one that brought the abuse of African-American’s civil rights to this world. Many people thought it would be good to televise the beating of black people but by filming it people saw the brutal force of racism. The American president John F. Kennedy had been shocked by the violence used against the peaceful demonstrators. Both black and whites offered their support after seeing the horrible images.

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I have learned what kind of person I am and what kind of person I am not. I also learned about some very inspirational people and quotes.

James Cameron King’s Park Secondary School

and discrimination with peace and equality for all Americans. King’s passionate, memorable and inspiring speech has made history remember him as one of the greatest orators.

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 1968 during a visit to Tennesse. Although this was sad, it also promoted his vision as people who saw this act began to believe more strongly against racism. One of King’s dreams was to have a Black President. Fifty years after that dream came true when Barack Obama took to become President of the United States of America.

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Martin Luther’s impact on society has been phenomenal. This one great man stood up for what he believed in and changed the lives of millions of people. He did this by being strong, persistent, caring, passionate, thoughtful and positive. Sadly he was not always principled. The story of Martin Luther King is one that I will always keep close to my heart as it reminds me to stand up for what I believe in and to never give up. He has taught me to believe and achieve. When I grow up I hope to become a rugby player professionally. Sadly, racism is heard around the playing field. Hopefully when I’m older I would like to make a difference and show people that it’s not the colour of your skin that matters but the content of your heart. Martin Luther King inspires me every day to keep trying.

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The march ended with a defining moment – Martin Luther King’s famous ‘I have a dream’ speech, which has been described as one of the most important speeches in America’s history and was seen and heard by millions around the world. King was introduced as ‘the moral leader of our nation’ and spoke of a world without segregation

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Olivia John

Coedcae School “Even if one tree falls down it won’t affect the whole forest.” “The only person you should try and be better than is the person you were yesterday.” My favourite fictional character is twelve-year old billionaire Joe Spud. Joe has everything money can buy, but has no friends. He tries to bribe people not to bully his new friend Bob but this makes Bob angry. Joe’s wealth brings him more trouble and the story shows how important things like love and friendship can’t be bought. Thomas Robert Daley is an English diver and television personality. He specialised in 10-metre platform individual event at the age of fifteen. Tom had a good childhood in a very supporting family. He got bullied at his former school when he became popular in his diving and got media attention; he speaks very openly about his bullying experience and has even made a YouTube video about it to inform other people. His bullying experience didn’t last too long as he decided to move school. Tom’s early diving inspiration was Canadian diver Alexandre Despative, who won gold at the 1998 Olympics. Daley was spotted by a coach, taking part in regular diving lessons at Plymouth Leisure Centre. After school every day he did an hour and a half of homework then diving. Four months ago Tom revealed on YouTube that he was gay, he said he was sick and tired of everyone asking and making assumptions. He inspires me because he had the courage to tell the whole world without knowing how they would react, or even if his career would

I really enjoyed taking part in this Inspire-Aspire poster. I think that in taking part in this I have learnt my qualities and things that I need to work on. This project has made me realise what I need to do to play my part in making the world a better place.

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Lauren Aitchison Knox Academy

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be over. On May 28th 2011 Tom’s father lost his battle with cancer, although Tom still went to do his diving competition, as he knew that’s what his father would have wanted. I would like to be like him because he told the whole world something and didn’t care how they reacted. He carried on just because it was something his father would have wanted.

Zuzanna Janas Coedcae School

“Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky My inspirational figure is Martin Luther King because he made a massive impact on the world then and the world now. Martin Luther King was born on the 15th January 1929 in Atlanta Georgia. He lived with his family and always had enough to eat, a good home and nice clothes, but unfortunately, he lived in a city where white people looked down on black people. When Martin was six he had to go to a school for ‘blacks only’, whilst all his friends, who were white, went to ‘white schools’. In 1948 Martin went to college to train to be a minister. He became interested in the work on Mahatma Gandhi who did not believe in using violence and urged his followers to be polite and peaceful, even when breaking the law. The idea of using peaceful protests appealed to Martin and he hoped that one day he would be able to use them to fight for equal rights in America. Martin achieved a lot of things in his life such as leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott, starting the Civil Rights Movement and most importantly, leading black people to freedom. Martin’s message and dream was that white and black people would be treated equally. He achieved this and his ‘I have a dream’ speech had a great impact on the world. I think that Martin Luther King was

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a fantastic person who risked his own life and his family’s for equality between white and black people. His actions not only had an impact on his community and society, but the whole world. Martin inspired me because he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in. He taught me to stay true to myself, and not to be afraid to stand up for what is right.

Aaron Laurie

Comely Park School “Investment of knowledge pays the best of interest.” Benjamin Franklin “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” Albert Einstein Steve Jobs not only inspires me because of his amazing innovations, he inspires me because of the way he come from nothing and built the most successful company in the world. He inspires me because of the way he built Apple, he didn’t care about profits, he cared about the products and the way they would change the world. As he once said “If you keep your eye on the profit, you’re going to scrimp on the product. But if you focus on making really great products, the profit will follow.” Steve Jobs was very direct and honest; he did what he had to do and did not keep secrets. He was not afraid to say what needed to be said. He also inspires me because he changed the world - he created the laptop, mouse, smartphones and tablets.

“Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein ‘Beyond The Deep Waters’ is my favourite book because it’s about a fifteen year old boy called Twig who was adopted by wood trolls, and one day he strays from the patch and ends up lost in the deep woods, but he is persistent and does not give up, and eventually he finds his real father and begins to fulfil his true destiny. I love this book because it’s about if you do not give up and keep persevering then you can achieve anything! Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the most inspiring people in the world to me! He was one of the most creative and curious people that anyone has ever known. He was the one who with all of his marvellous paintings, inventions and theories inspires the whole world to aspire to greatness! His famous paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are still to this day inspiring artists to create other beautiful artworks! He’s an amazing and very clever man. Leonardo was before his time with his inventions! Every one of them was unique - he made some of the earliest versions of flying machines and that eventually over the years lead to modern day planes. He also made many important discoveries in Human Anatomy, Civil Engineering and Optics! Leonardo Da Vinci is one of my heroes. He’s just amazing and he will always continue to inspire me until the very day I die!

James Walker

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Dalmellington Primary School

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“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Milton Berle

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Jason Copeland

“A bad attitude is like a flat tyre, you can’t go anywhere till you change it.”

Douglas Ewart High School “You can’t put a limit on anything - the more you dream the further you get.” Michael Phelps

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On October 9th 2012, fifteen year-old Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban because she stood up for her right to go to school. Every morning she climbed on a bus called SWNA and that is where she was shot. The Taliban is an extreme group, and one of their beliefs is that women shouldn’t be treated the same as men. We know this is against UNCRC Article 2 and millennium goal three which says girls should have equal opportunities. After she got taken to Birmingham, she wrote a book about her life and from now she is an inspiration to many people. She is an inspiration to me. I look up to Malala because she is amazing and she stands up for what she believes in. I love her book ‘I am Malala’ because of the way that she describes the way she was in Pakistan. Overall Malala is a good inspirational person because I think she will go back and carry on debating with other people just to go to school.

Emma Ashworth

Elie Primary School Michael Phelps holds the most medals for swimming in the Olympic Games. He’s a solitary man with a rigid focus. Michael Phelps swims six hours a day and he even trains eighty thousand meters a week. After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps used his one million bonus to set up the Michael Phelps Foundation. I like Michael Phelps because he is a very good swimmer and he’s won so many awards. I would also like to be a good swimmer.

Amy Christie

Elie Primary School “We can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone.” Ronald Reagan

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“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.” Marie Curie “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with heart.” Helen Keller My inspirational figure is Marie Curie. Marie Curie was a Polish woman who was born in 1867 and died in 1934. She won the Nobel Peace twice - for Physics in 1903 and for Chemistry in 1911. She discovered two new chemical elements called Polonium and Radium. Marie Curie’s parents were both teachers, as was her husband Pierre. When he died in 1906, Marie continued to teach in his job at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to teach there. In WWI Marie helped by equipping

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ambulances with x-ray equipment. She trained Doctors and Nurses to use the equipment and drove to the front line to help. She was made head of radiological service by the International Red Cross. Throughout her career she faced great opposition from male scientists in France. She had two children Irene Joliot Curie and Eve Curie. Irene also won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Marie died from too high energy radiation, which caused leukaemia. Her work is still used by hospitals today and has saved lots of lives through her many years of research and dedication to physics and chemistry. Marie Curie was inspiring because she had lots of determination and she never gave up. I admire these qualities.

Ruby Somerville Elie Primary School “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is my inspirational figure. Nelson was the first black president of South Africa. He was a world famous man who died in 2013. He was a man who made white people and black people equal and brought them together. If he hadn’t, then we would not have black people in South Africa with equal rights. He was put in prison for a long time and he wrote a book. All the people believed in him and he got out of prison after twenty-seven years. He inspires me because he helped us and the whole world. I believe in the UNCRC article two, which tells us that we must treat everyone the same as we all have the same rights.

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to believe in yourself and have confidence to achieve it.

Nurgul Gecer The Green School

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Julie Garroway Stonelaw High School

I have learned that if you work really hard, you can achieve great things and have people look up to you. I also have learned to be my own person and be myself.

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Jessica Thorburn

Errol Primary School “Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. Never stop questioning.” Mike Ditka Although I have found out about many inspirational people I want to write about the street cat Bob and James Bowen because I am inspired by his real life story. Bob is a stray cat at the start of the story. No one knows what his story was before James met him or where he came from. James is very poor and he drinks too much and has at times taken drugs to help him escape the sorrow and horrors of his life. James thinks that all hope is gone until one day he comes across Bob the cat. The cat is injured and very, very thin. James felt sorry for the cat and took him home, fed him and took care of him and named him Bob. The next day James went off to earn some money. When he got to the Bus Stop he realised that Bob had followed him so they both went to work together. Bob sits, watches and listens. People stop to speak to James about the cat and listen to his music. The bond between cat and man is created and James becomes terrified of abandoning Bob and letting him down by drifting back into his old ways. James even takes Bob to a charity clinic to have some wounds treated. James works longer and harder the next day to raise enough money to pay for the antibiotics that Bob needs. This inspires me because when Bob came into James’ life they both felt happy and loved and their lives were totally turned around. For James instead of everything being bad and hopeless now everything went right. James stopped drinking and focused on Bob’s needs and together they made money and lots of new friends. I think the message of this story is that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Everyone needs happiness and love.

Although this is pretty much the story of the book, James Bowden’s transformation is much deeper. Since the publication of his book, Bob has become a celebrity. Everyone wants to meet him and cuddle him and James has a good job helping other people who have problems and live on the street. He has also written several other books – “Where in the world is Bob?” in which the reader has to work out where in the world Bob has had his picture taken. All the money from this book has been used to help others who are having a difficult time and have ended up on the streets. A children’s book has also been published this year called ‘My name is Bob’ and it is a picture book for young children, which imagines Bob’s life before he met and came to live with James Bowden.

Callum Murison

George Heriot’s Junior School “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy I have chosen John F. Kennedy to be my inspirational figure, a man known throughout the world by his initials only! A man who served his country for a relatively short time but who is remembered as one of America’s greatest presidents. An inspirational speaker, remembered for his quotes, he stood for principles dear to many: democracy, freedom, liberty, courage and aspiration. Crippled by constant back pain, J.F.K. showed great physical and intellectual strength when, in 1962, during the Cuba crisis, potentially enabling Russian firepower to threaten the U.S.A., he announced information about missiles that were not removed. Khrushchev backed down, the missiles were removed, and the threat of nuclear war was averted. I admire his strength of character, great leadership and statesmanlike values and charisma. I hope one day that others will regard me as highly for standing up for what I believe in.

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Veronica Haughey Glasgow Academy

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” Winston Churchill My favourite character is Tris from the Divergent series written by Veronica Roth. Tris is my favourite character because she overcame prejudice from her peers and strove to be her own person and to find out who she really was rather than who her peers wanted her to be. I also liked Tris because she was brave as she stood up for her friends and beliefs, even though she was being threatened and she wouldn’t let people bully her into doing what they wanted. Another reason I liked Tris was because in the book, she made mistakes but she always took the blame for them, rather than blaming someone else, and she always learned from her mistakes. Someone who I think represents the spirit of humanity is Jane Goodall. She is a primatologist and humanitarian who has devoted her life to raising awareness for chimpanzees and helping

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people throughout the world to better their lives. Jane Goodall always loved animals and she moved to Kenya to live on her friend’s farm. She set up a meeting with a local scientist who was looking for a research assistant for the study of chimpanzees. She began studying the Kasakela chimpanzee community in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, in 1960. Without college training directing her research, Goodall gave them names and observed them to have unique and individual personalities, an unconventional idea at the time. She found that it isn’t only human beings who have personality, who are capable of rational thought and emotions like joy and sorrow. She also observed behaviours such as hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and even tickling, what we consider “human” actions. These findings suggest that similarities between humans and chimpanzees exist in more than genes alone, but can be seen in emotion, intelligence, and in family and social relationships. Goodall’s research at Gombe Stream is best known to the scientific community for challenging two long-standing beliefs of the day: that only humans could construct and use tools, and that chimpanzees were vegetarians. Jane Goodall has set up a number of charities. Two of these charities are the Jane Goodall Institute and Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots. The Jane Goodall Institute is an international environment and wildlife conservation organisation that works to protect all endangered species and to encourage people to make the world a better place. Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots provides young people with the knowledge and tools to improve the environment and the quality of living for people and animals. I think Jane Goodall represents the spirit of humanity because she has spent her whole life trying to improve the quality of living for both people and animals. Even though she never went to college, Jane Goodall revolutionised the study of chimpanzees and she changed how people view chimps forever. She strives to make the world a better place for everyone and to educate people on the problems in our world today. I find her inspirational because she is a very giving person. All of her charities are non-profit and

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she donates a lot of money. An example of this is when one of her books won a prize that came with money and Jane used the money she had received to have the text translated into another language so more people would be able to benefit from the knowledge in the book.

Scott McClymont Good Shepherd Centre

negative things, getting involved in criminality, drug dealings and lots more but he decided he didn’t want to get involved in that anymore and made a career out of what he was best at – rapping - and became one of the best rappers of all time. Alongside Dr. Dre and the Notorious B.I.G he makes me realise that you can turn your life around at any point and make something of it that’s what inspires me about Tupac Shakur.

“You only live once.” Mae West Tupac Shakur also known as his stage name 2 Pac and Makaveli, was born June 16th 1971 and died September 13th 1996. He was brought up in East Harlem in New York; Tupac has sold over seventy-five million records worldwide making him one of the bestselling artists ever. Tupac started as a back-up dancer and MC, he later went solo. His songs were often about violence, hardship, racism and other social problems. His family members were also part of a gang called the Panthers. Tupac was part of the east-coast west-coast rivalry. Becoming involved in conflicts with other rappers such as the Notorious B.I.G. Tupac was killed in a drive by shooting. He was in hospital six days before he actually died. What inspires me about 2Pac is that he grew up around violence, racism and lots of other

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I learned about many inspirational people during this project and found out a lot more about my chosen figure. I feel I have found out what I feel I need to improve my skills on and what I am good at.

Alex Cook Ross High School

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Chloe Reid

Grove Academy “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of a candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreased by being shared.” Buddha My favourite fictional character is Hazel Grace from the book – The Fault in our Stars. She is terminally ill and knows life is limited, but she embraces it and proves that although you suffer, you don’t have to be a victim. What I like about the character John Green has created is that she is flawed, but she shows that imperfection is perfection. Hazel helps me realise that whatever I am going through it gets better with time, perseverance and a little bit of luck. When I am feeling down I remember “Life is a rollercoaster that only goes up.”

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I have found out who I have for my inspiration and that how it helps me, and how the values and everything else links together.

Shalini Tharmentharan The Tiffin Girls’ School

My inspirational figure is Malala Yousafzai, a sixteen year-old education activist known for standing up to the Taliban to allow her and other girls to be able to go to school. At fifteen, Malala got shot in the head; the bullets hit her in the forehead, went through her skin and travelled down her face, and into her shoulder. Days after the attack, she was still unconscious, but was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England for rehabilitation. She has recovered now, and is safe in the UK. This was all at the age of fifteen and it shows courage, sacrifice and strong will. I think we should all be more aware of how much Malala suffered for other people. I admire her for many different reasons but the fact that she was only ten when she started the

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series of awe-inspiring events. She soon became rather famous and started giving speeches across Pakistan; she even met the Prime Minister and won a National Peace Prize. I highly doubt that at her age I would be doing this. But that is what makes her Malala – only she would have the courage to achieve what she has. She has changed the lives of thousands of people across the world and has inspired so many to do good in the aid of other people. I think the reason why she has achieved so much at such a young age is not only because of the huge support from her loved ones, but also her endless drive to see change in the way people like her live. This is a characteristic I would like to develop. Determination. The years of suffering, blood sweat and tears, then the light at the end of the tunnel. Her hard work has obviously paid off, and at just sixteen she has won many awards, such as The International Peace Prize, National Youth Prize, a Pakistan Bravery Award, Person of the Year shortlist, Mother Teresa Award, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year, the list is endless. This proves how well known she is for her selflessness and the impact she has on people. She is a very inspirational person and I admire her greatly.

Ross Laird Gryffe High School “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison “If you’re not failing now and again, you’re not doing something very innovative.” Woody Allen Harry Potter is the story of a young orphan who goes from zero to hero on his eleventh birthday. As he enters the secret wizarding world he has the world against him thanks to Lord Voldemort for a reason Harry had no part in! It’s a story of how when the world is stacked against you it’s

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still possible to be the winner; it shows that even in the craziness of the wizarding world when there’s no hope, you can do what you want, don’t stop believing!

of recognition he has. Every human should take a leaf from his tree!

Exiled from Tibet in 1959 when a national uprising brought violence, the Dalai Lama protests against Chinese rule. Thanks to him the violence has stopped and he tries to continually gain independence from the Chinese. I admire him deeply as he is exiled from his country for no plausible reason and he stays calm, condemns violence and asks peacefully for Tibetan Independence. If I were in his position I would be fuming! Violence is never the answer and he has taught us that. Winning a well-deserved Nobel Peace prize should be the start

Hamstead Hall School

Katie Grayland “I think of six impossible things before breakfast.” Alice in Wonderland This story makes me believe the impossible. Lewis Carroll was successful because he inspired people to create films to tell the story visually. Lewis Carroll is very imaginative and he has created one on my favourite stories of all time.

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Katherine Campion C

Hawick High School

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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson

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“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt

Many people throughout my life have been inspirational to me and many people that I have heard of possess qualities that I would like to have. However, the person that I have chosen for this poster is Cornelia ten Boom. She was an amazing individual who put her life on the line for her love of others and of God. I first heard of her when my Mum bought me her incredible book, ‘The Hiding Place’. Cornelia ‘Corrie’ ten Boom was born on 15th April 1892 and died on 15th April 1982. She was a Dutch Christian who lived in a small house and watch shop called the Beje in Harlem, Holland. She and her two sisters Betsie and Nollie and her brother Willem began their lives in a normal way. All four of the children grew up and although Nollie and Willem married and moved out of Bejel; Betsie and Corrie remained. Corrie began working with children with special needs and this in itself was very inspiring. Sometimes it can be difficult to feel comfortable associating with people who are different from

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My favourite fictional character is Pollyanna Whittier from the 1913 classic book ‘Pollyanna’ written by Eleanor H. Porter. I admire Pollyanna because of her optimistic way of looking at her life and her ‘glad game’. Even when she is orphaned and has to live with her strict Aunt Polly, Pollyanna remains positive; rather than looking at the parts of her life which could be better she focuses on the things that she has. Pollyanna is a very inspirational figure to me and if everyone in the world was as content in their situation as she is, the world would become a better place.

you and those with disabilities, but Corrie did this willingly. However, she also did a lot more than this; she and her family saw all the evil that was happening around them when the Nazis were in power, and they risked everything to help Jews and others in danger. In one part of Corrie’s book, she talks about people who arrived at her home for help; it was “the same story, the same tightclutched possessions, the same fearful glance and tentative treat”. Sadly, Corrie and her family were captured when the Nazis discovered that they were helping and hiding Jews. Both Corrie’s father and her older sister, Betsie lost their lives in the concentration camps but Corrie still remained passionate for God and the people around her. A few years later Corrie was preaching at a service and a man approached her; he had been a guard at the concentration camp that Corrie and her sister were held at. He told her that he felt it was ‘amazing’ that he could be forgiven by God for all the bad things that he had done, and then reached out to shake Corrie’s hand. Corrie’s hand remained firmly at her side. She suddenly felt unable to forgive him but prayed for compassion and forgiveness and took his hand in hers. This

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incident is hugely striking: Corrie’s faith in God was so great that she remembered to pray in her times of weakness and therefore was able to forgive. She could easily have chosen to be unforgiving towards the prison guard as he was involved with her family’s suffering; but she wasn’t. I aspire to be as strong as Corrie regarding my trust in God and I need to be more forgiving towards those who cause me pain or inconvenience by following Corrie’s example.

Jubal George

Holy Family RC Primary School “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela

MAND N O EL S L A E N

Finally, I also admire Cornelia ten Boom greatly because of all the other things that she did during her life. Her work with children was incredible and I likewise want to have a warm and welcoming manner to everyone I meet, whoever they are or whatever their background. I also find it amazing how she risked everything that she had for her love of others and of Jesus Christ. I strive to be selfless and would like to think that I could copy her example if faced with similar experiences. Throughout my life I strive to be more loving and caring, like Corrie, and learn to put other people first.

Nelson Mandela inspires me because he was a great man and fought bravely and courageously for human rights. He became a hero for people all over the world. He was a hard-working man and never gave up the fight for Human Rights and now, because of him, people live together in peace. Nelson Mandela was the first black president of South Africa. He spent twentyseven years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government. After he left prison,

he worked to achieve human rights. Mandela led young people in the ANC. Many white people, as well as black people, spoke out against apartheid. Mandela admired Gandhi, who used peaceful protests. Perhaps peaceful protest could get rid of apartheid, without fighting. Yes it can!!!

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In this project, I have learnt a lot more about myself. Since this project I have tried new things that I thought I wouldn’t like and it turned out I’m quite talented at them.

Matthew Ormrod Mount St Joseph School

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Mia Quinn Hyndland Secondary School “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” John Lennon I find the character of Portia from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” a really interesting character. I enjoy that she is ambitious and confident in her ability. Although she is a woman trying to stand out in an era dominated by men, I feel that she searches for the best in a situation. She always seems to find a way to enforce power and dominate on her male superiors. Her intellectual capability is what shines from her character and she uses it to surpass the misogynistic views of her male counterparts.

He was an enthusiastic anti-war activist who was very controversial amongst governments around the world, especially in the USA as he was heavily critical of their cruel involvement in the Vietnam War, but he was adamant that he would never give up. What inspires me about John Lennon is the use of his public influence. Instead of using his fame in a negative fashion, he encouraged individuals to express themselves through whatever media they felt comfortable with. He encouraged the reinforcement of gender equality and encouraged people to give men and women equal opportunities. The film “Nowhere Boy”is a realistic representation of his life and expresses his difficulty during

John Lennon experienced a very difficult upbringing. His parents were both absent as his mother was killed and his father did not want to be associated with him so he lived with his aunt and her family. At school, his life was equally hectic. He was continually told that he would never achieve anything in life, as he was not seen as academic or well-behaved, and therefore chose to prove his critics wrong and became a world renowned inspiration.

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I have learnt more about myself and set targets for the future. Due to this project I have completed an extracurricular activity.

Sonal Jain Watford Grammar School for Girls

Lennon believed that his role as a musician and songwriter was to reflect the views of the public through his writing skills. He became increasingly interested in international politics, which was reflected heavily in a lot of his music.

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childhood and how he managed to overcome it. The film of his life encourages other young people to persevere and manages to reach his story across a whole mainstream audience and hopefully enabling people to think about their beliefs.

Carla Banks

Inverurie Academy “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” Babe Ruth “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” Sir John Templeton My favourite fictional character is definitely Shrek. This is because he has showed me that you don’t have to be what our society class as ‘perfect’, you don’t have to look good and don’t have to be extremely intelligent or very successful and rich to have your own Happy Every After, you just have to be yourself.

JO HN LENNON

Paul Lawrie was born in 1969. He used to stay in Kemnay and he went to school there. He played on local golf courses such as Inverurie and Kemnay. He turned pro after leaving school in 1986. He famously won the Claret Jug when he won the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999, a few months after I was born. Paul has won several European titles since then too. He played in the ‘Miracle in Medina’ European Ryder cup team in 2012, and earned a crucial point with a great singles win over Brandt Snedeker. I remember watching this on TV cheering him and the team on. I know Paul is really hoping to be selected to play in the Ryder Cup in September this

year at Gleneagles. The captain of the European team, Paul McGinley, will make a final decision on players after the Race to Dubai Tournament in August. In June 2012 Paul bought over the Aspire Golf Centre in Aberdeen and re-named it the ‘Paul Lawrie Foundation’. Paul started up the Foundation in 2001. “It was soon after winning the 1999 Open that I began to seriously consider what I could put back into the game and came up with the Paul Lawrie Foundation”, stated Paul just after it opened. The foundation has developed a programme for under 18’s that gives them the opportunity to try golf and encourages them to develop their sporting potential. Paul puts emphasis on one common goal – the enjoyment and development of golf for all. In primary five I kindly asked Paul to come along to my school to support a fundraiser for the Archie Foundation. As well as holding a workshop at the school, he came along on the night with his family and joined in with bidding for items, we raised over £1,000 on the night. Paul holds workshops with the juniors every so often and he makes them full of fun. I have seen him hit a ball blindfolded, with only his left hand on the club and even on his knees. I have certainly had the benefit of his coaching and playing in competitions organised by the Foundation. It improved my game of golf at the same time as meeting new friendly faces, with whom I still keep in touch today. I think Paul is an inspiring sportsman and genuinely nice guy. He recently wrote a book about his life so far called “An Open Book”. I think if you read his book you can’t help but get the feeling that Paul is a family man at heart, has a great work ethic and is very talented at golf. He is a super role model for anyone. Paul has given a lot of young people, like myself, the opportunity to get some great coaching and mentoring, as well as play on some great courses all over Scotland. I really hope he gets selected to play in the Ryder Cup team this year. He has been an inspiration to lots of juniors over the past thirteen years since starting the Paul Lawrie Foundation. He makes you believe in yourself and your abilities.

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INSPIRE

ASPIRE

Gabrielle Edward Inverurie Academy

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?!” “Follow your heart but take your brain with you.” Hermione Grainger is my favourite character of all time. She is one of my biggest role models and I have learned so much from her. She has taught me resilience, loyalty, friendship and so many other things. However I think that the biggest thing that Hermione taught me is that I should always be proud of who I am and not let anybody else tell me otherwise. I think that many of my own qualities such as my bookishness and my loyalty to others have been based on her because I can entirely relate to her being called the nerd and getting made fun of because of that. Hermione has helped me to become the person that I am and I hope that I can develop to be as strong and independent as she is.

J.K. Rowling is the woman that inspires me. She taught me that even if I hit rock bottom, I can rebuild my own life because dreams do come true if you work to achieve them. I have been reading her books since I was six years old and I know that I can always find comfort and solace in their pages. The stories and characters have taught me many lessons about love, choices and courage and they are ones that I will carry with me for my whole life. Her fictional stories and her own story have inspired me to be myself, use my talents to the best of my ability and never to give up on myself. J.K. Rowling is the woman who will always inspire me through the course of my life and I know that no matter what, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome me home.

Daniel Winter Langholm Academy “If you believe in yourself, then everyone else is going to believe in you.”

J. K

My inspirational figure is Didier Drogba. I find him inspiring because he came from a poor background and he gave his all to become his dream job as a footballer. Drogba’s career has been very successful and he is an extremely good player but nothing stops him from respecting everyone. He is very modest, hardworking and really generous. Even though he gets paid millions for his dream job, he certainly isn’t greedy with his money. Didier doesn’t get recognised for all the charity work he does. All the money he gets from sponsors is used to support poor communities and build services like hospitals and fresh water in his home country of Ivory Coast. I would like to be generous and respect people the way Didier Drogba does. Drogba is determined, caring and modest, which inspires me to be like him.

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Bethan Adamson

LT D I S N E Y

Pencoed School

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

Natasha Baker is twenty-three years old and double gold medallist and MBE after competing at the London Paralympics. When she was fourteen months old she contracted a virus – Transverse Myelitis. The virus affects the movement of her body. However she was brought up to believe that she could do anything. She started horse riding in a disabled riding school association. In 2002 she was spotted for the world-class programme; this meant that she had support from lottery funding, world class trainers, vets, nutritionists, etc. I think she is inspiring because she has a disability but she never gave up on her dreams.

Lana Parsons Pencoed School “Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” Walt Disney My favourite fictional character is Rapunzel from the film Tangled. Rapunzel is my favourite character because is this film, she is always chasing a dream. She has taught us that everyone in life will have a different dream to achieve

Cinderella is a headstrong and independent young woman. She is truly beautiful because she doesn’t let her anger and sorrow get the better of her. She is kind to most people. She also shows that she can overcome any obstacles without the aid of magic. Cinderella wanted to simply live a better life and finding her ‘prince’ was not her main priority. She is sweet to everyone even though her step mum treated her badly.

“All dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

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something and that if you want to do something that can make your life better then go for it, don’t sit around and wait for something to happen. Walt Disney was an innovator, he introduced new ideas to the world like colour cartoons. The quality traits that made Walt Disney successful were that he was creative and imaginative. I find Walt Disney inspiring because he put his creative quality to good use by inventing colour cartoons that were used in movies too. He was always thinking of new ideas and different characters. I admire that, when he was younger he couldn’t afford any paper so he found different things to draw on. I admire him as an artist. Walt Disney is famous for creating Disney characters and most of the Disney Movies. He is also famous for designing Disney World in Florida, where people go and see the magic and fun that Walt Disney decided to share with the world. Walt Disney inspired lots of cartoonists to create their own characters. He has inspired me to think of new ideas and to keep thinking that what you want to do in life achievable.

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I have learned how important values are to make people succeed in life. It’s good to have someone that inspires me because it makes me work harder to reach my goals.

Alex Brooks Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw

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INSPIRE

ASPIRE

Lily-Mae Sutcliffe

Radyr Comprehensive School “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis When my P.S.E. teacher, Mrs Evans, asked me today, ‘who inspires you?’ a lot of names were swirling round in my brain such as; Mandela, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln. I admire those people who had hope, faith and dignity, they managed to actually change the world. These people didn’t give up, when life was at its harshest limits, they were the type of people who had the attitude of persistence and respect, they were the type of people who disagreed with discriminating people by their pigment, religion or race or the type of person who won a conflict without firing one gun or throwing one bomb, they were the type of people who said ‘no’. That’s a very brave thing to say when everyone else is bowing down to the law and orders of society and you’re the only one who thinks differently but has the courage to speak up and do something about it.

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After doing this project I learned about values and how to treat others better and the importance of respecting others for a better world.

Ellyshia Faulkner Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw

Molly Grimley

Radyr Comprehensive School “Always believe in yourself.” My favourite fictional character is ‘Olaf’ from Disney’s newest film Frozen - he is inspirational because he makes everyone feel better. Even though he knew he was going to melt he still

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helped his friends and encourages them to carry on. He also brings together sisters by being so heartless and giving himself up for others. I really think that Olaf was put into the film so that it gives children a figure to act like. Joanne O’Riardan was born with ‘total amelia’, which is a condition where you are born without any limbs. This disease is very rare and only seven people in the whole world have this. Due to having no limbs her spine finds it hard to stay upright, this has led to her having an operation to fit a metal rod down her back so she does not slouch. She lives in Dublin and is like a local celebrity because she welcomes all comments in a mature and kind way. When she is out in town the general public will stop her and compliment her. The adults will say how well she deals with life and children will say she is an inspiration. She calls herself born lucky because she has met One Direction and Jedward and has special access to V.I.P. area because she can get attention. During her life she has been to lots of conferences and was invited to a show in America where she gave a presentation about disability. Joanne has tried to use prosthetic legs and arms but has just gone back to being herself as she believes that it is the best way to live her life to the fullest. Unfortunately she cannot dress herself but she has worked out how to text and work her laptop in school. She uses her top lip as a way C HA of texting and playing R games on her phone. She is an inspirational in my eyes because she is so positive and despite her

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problems and difficulties that life throws at her, she goes into any situation working hard and striving to achieve the goals she sets herself. I knew Joanne O’Riordan due to a documentary on TV and was intrigued from the beginning by her generosity and kindness to others and how enthusiastic and bubbly she was.

Rianna Man

Radyr Comprehensive School “Live as though you will die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

In his twenties, Nelson Mandela joined the anti-apartheid movement so that he could actively work towards ridding South Africa of racial discrimination. For the next twenty years, Mandela directed a number of peaceful protests against the racist politics of the South A f r i c a n Government. At the age of nine, Nelson M a n d e l a ’s father died, leaving his son to be adopted by an old friend. His new life meant R that he could E get a much better ND education. After being expelled from university, an arranged marriage was

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arranged for Mandela. He ran away from home. In 1956, Mandela and one hundred and fifty others were arrested for treason but were acquitted. In 1963 he was tried again and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In February 1990 he was released. After all these hardships, Mandela never stopped believing in the cause. He was elected president of the National African Congress in 1991 and was then awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. I think that Nelson Mandela is so inspirational because he never lost hope. He dreamed of equality and peace but he actually worked hard to get what he knew the people of Africa deserved. He wasn’t content once he’d achieved his own freedom, he made sure everyone else could too. I hope to be as patient, hardworking and ambitious as Nelson Mandela and to encourage others with his peaceful protests as an example.

Wasima Mohammad

Radyr Comprehensive School “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winton Churchill Nick Vujicic has a rare disease called tetramelia syndrome, a disorder that is characterised by all absence of all four limbs. Nick struggled with his disability as a child, both emotionally and physically. At the age of ten, after a failed suicide attempt where he tried to drown himself in a bath, from then he vowed never to give up and he didn’t. In 2008 Nick met Kame Miyahara and got married in 2013. In the same year, they had a son called Kiyoshi. Nick has built a non-profit charity – Life Without Limbs. In this charity he visits countries and speaks to people, who are also disabled and tells them not to give up.

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INSPIRE

ASPIRE

India-Mae Harris

Jo Harrison

Raglan Primary School

“Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.” Bill Copeland

“I have a dream.” Martin Luther King

Joan of Arc was born 6th January around 1412 in the village of Domremy in east France. Joan was about twelve when she started to experience visions, which were both verbal communication and visible figures such as St. Catherine, St. Margaret, large groups of angels and Archangel Michael. In 1428 Joan said the saints had urged her to ‘go to France’ and drive out the English and Burgundians, explaining that God supported Charles’ claim to the throne. She asked King Charles for an army. She first went to the local town and asked commander of the garrison to take her to see the King - he just laughed at her. But Joan didn’t give up. She continued to ask for his help and got the support of local leaders. Soon he provided an escort to the royal court. At first the King thought she was a messenger of God or just crazy.

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Renfrew High School Markus Persson was born on 1st June 1979 he is a video game programmer and designer. Markus is the founder and owner of MoJang and also created my favourite game Minecraft. Markus has won multiple awards and has become famous and has two nicknames, which are ‘Notch’ and ‘The God of Minecraft’. He inspires me because I’ve played Minecraft since 2012 and I want to be a game designer when I grow up. AN OF ARC

WARRIOR

Alasdair Reid

Eventually he let Joan accompany a convoy of soldiers to Orleans, which was under siege by the English army. Joan practised for battle. She became a proficient fighter and expert horse rider she was ready and the King let her fight. Joan had to wait for French to arrive once they were there she launched an attack; she was injured by an arrow but she continued fighting. Eventually she made the English retreat from Orleans. She had saved the French from the English. Joan heard that Compiegne was under attack. She took small force to defend the city. But Joan was captured and sold to the English. Joan had her trial and was found guilty. She was burned at the stake holding a wooden cross. She is now known for her bravery.

Steven Gerrard inspires me not just because of being very talented but also because of his commitment to Liverpool FC as he has stayed there even though other clubs have offered lots of money. Steven Gerrard was born on 30th May 1980 in Whiston and he was scouted for Liverpool when he was playing for Whiston. His Liverpool debut was on November 29th 1998 against Blackburn. His England debut was on May 21st 2000 against Ukraine. With Liverpool he has achieved winning the FA cup twice, The League cup twice, The UEFA champion’s league, The UEFA cup, The UEFA super cup twice and the community shield twice. He has appeared 664 times for Liverpool and scored 173 goals. For England he has appeared 109 times and scores 21 goals. Another reason he inspires me is he has been loyal to Liverpool during hard times and now he finally has a chance to win the Premier League since Liverpool is first. To me he is one of the super best midfielders in the world. He is an excellent player.

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Max Holmes

Amelia Mellors Sanday Community School “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” I chose Nelson Mandela as my Inspirational Leader because he used sport to lead his country. I watched a film called ‘Invictus’ which is about the Rugby World Cup Final 1995 where South African ‘Springboks’ played in New Zealand ‘All Blacks’. Nelson Mandela told Francois Pienaar that he wanted him to win the World Cup and said that it would bring the Nation together after apartheid.

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Sir Isaac Newton, the discoverer of gravity and maker of the theory of the universe that went unchallenged before Einstein’s discovery of relativity. I aspire to be as successful as him. I want to be as committed and hard-working as him. His journey as a scientist started at Trinity College, Cambridge where his early researches were interrupted by the great plague in 1666. The college closed down for several years. He carried on his work and in 1665 he contemplated the fall of an apple in his garden. This demonstration led him to his theory of gravity. After his discovery, he became a member of the college and Professor in Mathematics in 1667. In his book, the mathematical principles of natural philosophy, he described his theory in more detail. Newton defended the college from illegal encroachments in 1689 – 90 and then won a seat in Parliament because of his brilliant debating. His final success was when he was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705. In his lifetime Newton showed persistence to achieve success and I am inspired to be as successful as him one day.

AC A S

“Failure is simple the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” Henry Ford

Ruthvenfield Primary School

SCI ENTIST

It was a difficult task as Francois said that his team was not strong enough and it seemed an impossible achievement. Mandela encouraged the team by using a motto ‘one team – one country’ and he phoned them from his mobile to ask how training was going and how they were getting on and if they were feeling ready. On the day he went to the changing rooms to wish them good luck and he was wearing the Springbok green jersey and cap, which was unusual for a black man. Francois Pienaar described Mandela as someone who had a common touch, who was humble and made people feel at ease and took time to listen and make them feel important. South Africa actually won the match and when Mandela presented Francois with the cup he said to him ‘Thank you for what you have done for South Africa’ and Francois said ‘No Mandela, you have got it wrong, Thank You for what you have done for South Africa’.

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I have learned how I could change the world in an easy way. I have thought more about when I grow up and I know that I will achieve most of this. I also have learnt more about how easily the world can change.

Brogan Sutcliffe Arrochar Primary School

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INSPIRE

ASPIRE

Meredith Beale

the missiles in it from destroying the world.

Sanday Community School “Never bend you head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree. I find her inspiring because despite being both blind and deaf she was determined to learn to communicate. She learnt to write and become an author, political activist and a lecturer. I admire her determination to join the world as an educated woman despite her disability. I think she achieved success because she was willing to learn and committed to teaching others.

The character I have chosen is Captain America from the film Captain America. He inspired me because he was determined to serve his country in the war and despite his medical problems still wanted to fight for what he believed in, the freedom of those under the influence of the German enforcers and worldwide peace. He was also brave and despite being at a disadvantage with his slight build never let anyone fight his battles for him even though he was always standing up to people twice his size whom he couldn’t possibly beat in a fight. He would also do anything for his friends; he breaks into a German concentration camp to save his best friend and ends up saving hundreds of trapped soldiers. He even sacrifices himself at the end of the movie by crashing the enemy jet into the sea to prevent

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I have learned how to achieve things in my life and how to become a better person in life. I have also learned how I can help the world in many ways.

Rose Sinclair Comely Park School

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Kyle Doig

South West Fife Youth Achievement

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, I’m Possible.” Audrey Hepburn

Rocky Marciano started with nothing but worked hard and became a famous boxer and inspiration for the Rocky films. He always believed in never giving up no matter what and once fought with a broken arm. He did charity work even when he had barely anything. Before boxing he had $10 to his name and is now a very well-known boxer. He sadly died in a plane crash and is now someone who inspired me to ‘fight until the end’!

Anne Frank is my inspirational figure, not just because of her diary, but because she was a girl (just like some of us), who had to suffer, but she had great courage and bravery. She was also very intelligent. I think Anne Frank was a very activist girl, although she didn’t talk on TV, or give a speech, she wrote a diary, which reflects on her two years living with the fear and the worry of being found.

Elisha Scobie

Eimear Rogers

St Andrew’s High School “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Charlie Chaplin “What’s right isn’t always popular, what’s popular isn’t always right.” Howard Cosell

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Buddy Holly was a ‘50’s rock’n’roll singer. He was extremely modest and endearingly shy. He is my inspirational figure as he focused on his music, and didn’t lose sight of it. He wasn’t interested in how much money he was making, or if people enjoyed his music. He was happy if they did like it, but he wouldn’t change himself or his music if they didn’t.

Almudena Carrion

St Angela’s Ursuline School

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” Mother Teresa

St Colm’s High School “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more to climb.” Nelson Mandela “I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.” Benjamin Disraeli Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18th July 1918. He was later given the name Nelson by a teacher at school. He was born in the Transkei, part of South Africa. The Mandelas were related to the Tembu royal family. When Nelson was nine, his father died. Nelson went to a mission school, and then to college. He was good at school work. He also enjoyed boxing and running. At Fort Hare University, he studied Law. Nelson left the University in 1939, after student protests about how it was run. Nelson Mandela became famous for his long fight against bad government and racial prejudice. He became a hero to people all over the world. As South Africa’s president, he was respected for his courage and bringing people together to live in peace. He was in prison from 1962 to 1990. He became president of South Africa in 1994, and retired in 1999. Nelson died on 5th December 2013 following a lung illness. Nelson Mandela will always inspire me.

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St Colm’s High School “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.” Jimmy Dean My favourite fictional character will have to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Simply because it is adventurous, exciting and inspiring. It shows you that if you are like Charlie, you will succeed. This is because he was always very ambitious he would get his Golden Ticket although he always stayed humble, caring and appreciative for what his mother and family gave him even though they were very poor! He had a lot of trouble heading his way consisting of spoilt children, odd tour guides and little orange men. He got through all of it and came through victorious. This tells you to keep your chin up, until the end, and you will achieve what you wished for. Wilma Rudolph was born premature and sickly on June 23rd 1930 and went on to become an African-American pioneer of track and field. But the road to victory was not an easy one for Wilma! Stricken with polio as a child, she had problems with her left leg and had to wear a brace. It was with great determination and the help of physical therapy that she was able to overcome the disease as well as her resulting disabilities. While still in high school in Tennessee, she was nicknamed ‘Skeeter’ for her famous speed. She then qualified for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. After finishing High School, Wilma trained super hard for the next Olympics which were held in Rome. The 1960 Olympic Games was a golden time for ‘Skeeter’. She broke the Olympic record in the 200m dash of 23.2 seconds in the semi-finals before winning the 200m race of 24 seconds in the final! Most notably, ‘Skeeter’ became the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games! The first class sprinter instantly became on the most popular athletes of the Rome Games as well as an international super star. Throughout the 60’s Wilma was widely considered to be the world’s

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fastest woman. This shows you that even if you are held back by something, you got to work and work until you succeed everything you want to! You only have one life, make the most of it!

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Kaitlin Church

ASPIRE

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Molly Younie

St George’s School for Girls “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” Vince Lombardi “Your mind is like a parachute it doesn’t work if it isn’t open.” Frank Zappa Samantha Kinghorn inspires me because of her remarkable determination to succeed and become one of the best wheelchair racers in the UK. I admire that she has coped with being paralysed from the waist down at such a young age, and is moving forward setting high goals. Aged fourteen Samantha had the ordinary life of a teenager. This all changed whilst she was helping her dad clear snow, when a large amount came down on top of her. With a broken back she ended up in hospital for six months. Samantha thought being bed bound for the rest of her life was the only solution. The news came that she would be able to get out of bed using a wheelchair and she was overjoyed. Now three years on from the accident she is training for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, competing in the wheelchair racing T54. I will always remember her example showing that no matter what life throws at me, aim high, be determined, keep positive, never give up and strive to do my best.

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Holly Saltmarsh

Luca Nardone

Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen after she stood up for what she believe in – education for girls in countries such as Pakistan. This happened after she spoke up to the press for the right for girls to have an education. Her speech was in newspapers and on the TV. Malala believed that women should not be restricted to staying at home, giving birth, cooking and cleaning. Malala attended school regularly and the Taliban felt they needed to take action to stop girls attending school. They recalled being ‘forced’ to do something drastic. Malala was on her way home from school when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman. She was seriously injured, however with no damage to the brain.

I know it is a little bit young for me but I really enjoy CARS. The reason for this is because I love how all of the characters are really good friends and help each other out as well as have fun. This story links my two most favourite things – my love of cars and enthusiasm for being with my friends. I think it also sends out a moral message to children that friends are really important and you should be a modest and grateful person rather than a show off.

St Gregory’s Catholic School

She shared her story with the world soon after and organised a charity to help all girls have an education. I picked Malala as an inspirational figure as she is extremely brave and courageous. She has never given up despite the horrific experience she has been through. She still is helping others and trying to make the world a better place.

Shauna Rogers St Gregory’s Catholic School “You only live once but if you live it right once is enough.”

St. Joseph’s Primary School

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I think that I have realised what I want to do with my life and I am grateful for that. I also think that I have found someone who I am truly inspired by and I am pleased because I was unable to do that last year.

Lexie Demetrius Elie Primary School

The person who inspires me is Usain Bolt. He was born in Jamaica on 21st August 1986. He has lived in Jamaica since he was very young. His special inspiring talent is running. He is very committed and driven. He has won loads of gold medals in London and other places. Bolt has set up charities for children in Jamaica to encourage them to take up running and improve their lives. His message in the Usain Bolt Foundation is dedicated to the legacy for happy children.

“A dream is just a dream until you decide to make it real.”

In my opinion Atticus Finch is inspirational! He is a fictional character from the book ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee. He has two children (Jem and Scout) and his wife has died. He is one of my favourite father figures because he is strong, fully developed is an excellent lawyer and is a fair, justified man. He is a great role model for Jem and Scout.

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MP IC CHAM

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Hattie Lindohf St. Mary’s Episcopal Primary School “Speak with your heart instead of your mind.” Malcolm X inspires me because he never gave up. His Dad died and he was put in prison and usually people give up but he turned his life around and gave speeches to black people and said to like you for who they are and not to try be like others and he wanted white people and black people together. He inspires me to treat people fairly and if he can treat people fairly I can too - what really inspires me is he didn’t give up. His family died and he was in jail because of stealing but he changed.

Anna Ledgewood

St. Mary’s Grammar School “You are braver than your believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you know.” Winnie the Pooh “Success is the best revenge for everything.” Ed Sheeran My favourite novel is ‘Looking for Alaska’ because it includes loads of interesting and useful life lessons. All the characters in the story have flaws and aren’t perfect, which makes them all seem real. The author, John Green, has taught me that death is perceived differently by different people, depending on how it was caused. I also learned about friendship from this book. All the characters had very unique personalities but always still managed to stick together even when times got tough. They’re all very genuine By taking part in this I have learnt that have lots of likes and dislikes and lots of layers which are hard to dig down deeply enough to get to them but I have found it easier and easier to pick out the things most important to me. I think it has helped me to realise who I really am.

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Jessica Davies Albyn School

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towards each other and don’t believe in keeping secrets from each other, no matter how big, and I admire that. This book has also taught me that we are our own enemy; our biggest battle in life is against ourselves. My inspirational figure is Conor Scott. Conor is a nineteen year-old busker, singer and songwriter from Belfast. He is probably better known for auditioning for The Voice UK, series 2 in 2013. Coach Danny Donoghue turned for Conor which automatically made him part of Team Danny. He proceeded to the knockout rounds. Unfortunately, Danny chose Mitchel Emmis over Conor and he returned home to Belfast, disappointed but grateful for the experience he had been given. After the Voice, Conor continued posting covers of his favourite songs on YouTube as well as some of his own compositions. He also continued busking in the city centre of Belfast, earning more and more recognition each time. As his popularity began to grow, Conor was asked to play gigs in his hometown, all over Ireland and England and even in Germany! One of his biggest achievements was when he was asked to do was to headline the open-air concert of the Ardoyne Fleadh: this was the first time I was privileged to meet him and stand in the front row for his performance. It’s that night that I realised that he is a local lad who has and still is working hard and doing well for himself. A few weeks ago when I met Conor for the second time, he was surprised and chuffed when he noticed that he was on the back of my phone case that I especially designed myself. Mummy said that he seemed genuinely touched and perhaps a little bit embarrassed by my phone case. This showed me that his fame and popularity hasn’t affected his down to earth qualities and we also convinced him to come to Maghera to organise a gig for us soon! I admire Conor because of everything he has achieved. He has almost completed recording his first E.P., as well as writing and recording with some of the most talented songwriters all over Ireland, England and Germany. Somehow, he has still managed to conquer his final year of A-levels and secondary school altogether at the same time. He

OFFICIAL AWARDS MAGAZINE 2014

St. Mary’s Grammar School “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela “Failure is a great teacher is you are open to it.” Oprah Winfrey My favourite story is the story of Forrest Gump by Winston Groom. It influences us not just as the reader but as our self as a citizen by highlighting and making clear every quality that the people of the world should have. Winston’s Groom characteristics for Forrest has also taught me that opportunities don’t just come to the fortunate but they come to the people seeking them. And with opportunity we find ourselves at one point in the chocolate box not knowing what we are going to achieve as Groom’s character points out in the novel. Malala Yousafzai born on July 12th, 1997 in Mingora Pakistan. As a child she became an advocate for girl’s education – which resulted in the Taliban issuing a death threat against her on October 9th 2012, a gunman shot Malala when she was travelling home from school on a bus with friends. As she is a strong individual she survived and fully recovered and continued to speak about the truth and importance of education. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 and 2014.

Charli Dolan

St. Ninian’s Primary School “If you can’t feed one hundred people, then feed just one.” Mother Teresa My favourite story is Running Wild by Michael

My inspirational figure is Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa’s full name was Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, which means rose bud or little flower. Mother Teresa sadly died before I was born in 1997, aged 87. The reason Mother Teresa inspires me is that she did charity work and got the Nobel Peace prize for undertaking the struggle of poverty and distress. Mother Teresa considered the 27th of August to be her true birthday because that is the day she was baptised. She showed true and real dedication to God and the church. There is a statue of her in St. Thomas Mount and there is a memorial house in Skopje. Mother Teresa became a teacher at Loreto Convent School and she served there for almost twenty years and then became Head Mistress. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, which is a Roman Catholic religious congregation. Mother Teresa felt that suffering would bring people closer to Jesus and she was criticised for that - she was criticised a lot but she took no notice and still kept on going spreading the word of God. Paul VI awarded her the first Pope John XXIII peace prize. Mother Teresa suffered from a heart attack in Rome while visiting Pope John Paul II. At the time of her death, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity had over four thousand sisters. There are lots of Mother Teresa commemorations around the world. I would like to be like Mother Teresa when I’m older. Mother Teresa was a very dedicated, holy and loving person. She is the subject of many documentaries and books.

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LCOLM X

Aine Atchison

Morpurgo. Running Wild is about a boy called Will and his Mum who go on holiday to get their P T O minds off the death LI IS V TIC I AL ACT of Will’s Dad. While on holiday Will goes on an elephant ride whilst his Mum goes swimming, then his Mum is killed by a tsunami. Will is lost in the jungle but Will and the elephant keep going, even when they lose all hope. After years of surviving in the wild with the elephant, Will is found by his grandparents The moral of the story is that if you keep going something good will happen eventually. Hard work is rewarded.

has, with a lot of hard work and effort, achieved in his teenage years what I would love to achieve in my whole lifetime.

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Jack Faulds

EY MARTIN

St. Ninian’s Primary School “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs

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threats and warnings. Malala would not listen and continued to campaign for girls’ education rights. The Taliban had a meeting in summer 2012 where it was unanimously agreed to kill Malala. On 9th October 2012 Malala was travelling home on a school bus after taking an exam when a Taliban gunman boarded the bus and demanded that Malala identify herself or he would shoot everyone on the bus. The gunman shot Malala and the bullet went through her head and neck before lodging in her shoulder. Malala was airlifted to hospital and endured a serious operation to remove part of her skull due to her brain swelling. Many countries around the world were outraged over the attack on Malala and offers to treat her were made. Malala arrived in the U.K. on 15th October to continue her life saving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Malala went on to make slow and steady progress and a good recovery. Since the attack Malala has continued to campaign for equal rights in education and has been recognised for her work by being nominated for many awards including the Nobel Peace Prize and the Mother Teresa Memorial Award. I admire Malala Yousafzai because she is courageous and selfless and stands up for what is right, even when it could cost her her life. M

In my opinion the best example of a responsible global citizen for education is Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a sixteen year-old Pakistani school girl who was willing to sacrifice her life for the right to an education. Malala lived in the Swat District of Pakistan where the Taliban had attempted to ban girls from school. Malala felt very strongly that this was unfair and began to campaign against this. She wrote blogs under a false name and interest in Malala and her views began to grow. She was interviewed by journalists and in October 2011 she was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize. As Malala became more well-known for her views she also became more of a threat to the Taliban and she began to receive death

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

C B RI OOK W

AEL MCKILL

“Don’t wait for an opportunity, make an opportunity.”

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St. Ninian’s Primary School

Rebecca Brown

Stanley Martin Lee was born on 28th December 1922 in New York City. He is an American comic book writer, editor, illustrator, publisher and head chairman of Marvel comics. Stan Lee inspires me because he loves what he does and I believe that you need to love what you do to do it. He wants people to be happy and I want to be like him when I’m older. He created characters such as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Avengers and The X-Men. He won two awards, The Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame and The Jack Kirby Hall of Fame. He is my idol and I want to be like him and follow my dreams.

R A LY M P

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Frances Johnston St. Pius X College

“You must do the things you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt “Better your best.” St Pius X College PE Department My favourite fictional character is by far the amazing Katniss Everdeen. Who is the main character of the Hunger Games Trilogy. She is my favourite as she volunteered to take her little sisters place in the 74th Hunger Games, which just showed she was willing to fight and risk her own life for her district. Katniss is a very loving and a caring person as her father died when she was very young and she took the responsibilities in the family. Her acts of kindness towards her sister were unbelievable, just showed how much of a heart she had. I look up to Katniss as she taught me to stay strong no matter what and to always have a kind heart.

IAN

Michael McKillop is an Irish Paralympian who competes in the T37 classification, as he has a mild form of epilepsy, which makes him have a fit. The type he has only attacks him in his sleep and is very dangerous because when he was fifteen on holidays in his caravan he was in bed, his parents heard a thud and went to his room to find their son’s head between the bed and a cabinet. He was rushed to hospital, soon after they found he broke his neck. Michael is a double Gold Medal Winner at the London Paralympic Games. He won the T37 1500m and clinched his second gold medal. He had previously won the 800m and broke the world record at a time of 1:57:22 and also broke the Paralympic Games record in the 1500m with a time of 4:08:11. He inspires me so much as no matter what you are capable of anything. I met him one day and learnt this “Believe and you will achieve” so now whatever I do I always believe in myself and come out on top!

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I think I have learned more about what kind of person I am and want to be. It has made me more aware of the world around me and the people in it. I have discovered who I find an inspirational person.

Lucy Millar King’s Park Secondary School

Meg Wilson

Stranraer Academy “If you want something, go for it, you’ve got nothing to lose.” Louis Tomlinson “Don’t feel stupid if you don’t like what everyone else pretends to love.” Emma Watson Demi Lavato is my inspirational figure. She is an American artist, actress and philanthropist. She started off as an actress when she was just a child in the kid’s series “Barney and Friends”. She got bigger and bigger until she was famous worldwide. She is also an active supporter of gay rights, which inspires me a lot as everybody is equal. As Demi reached eight years old she went downhill and ended up with an eating disorder, she went from compulsively overeating to starving herself then purging after every food intake. All caused by bullying from a young age, she was never happy with her body. Demi then fell into a vicious cycle of self-harm. She then was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder on top of the anorexia, bulimia and self-harm diagnosis due to the bullying. She was admitted to rehab in 2010 for depression. Every day is a battle but the tattoos on her wrists to cover initial scarring say it all. ‘Stay Strong’. Demi Lovato inspires me as she has been through so much, so young and inspires me to think that even when you feel like you are no longer with it or you don’t want to go on anymore, you can always make it through. She basically taught me to stay strong, stand strong and never give up!

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Johnny Cheyne

Sullivan Upper Preparatory School “I want to express my feelings rather than illustrating them.” Mark Pollock Mark Pollock, who was born in Belfast, lived in Hollywood as a young boy. He is a Northern Irish adventurer, athlete, rower, kayaker, author and international motivational speaker who became blind at the age of twenty-two when in 2010 he fell out of a second storey window paralyzing his spine. He didn’t give up and was the first blind person to reach the South Pole. He was also given a charity aid called “Run in the Dark For Mark.” People raised millions to get him walking on his own two feet – they made it there in the end. He inspired me and taught me that however disabled you are, just about everything is possible.

INV ENTOR

I have learned more about myself and my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned to be a nicer and happier person. I have learned that you should always stand up for what you believe in.

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Maria Bisland St. Mungo’s Academy

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Saul Young

Sullivan Upper School “Braille is knowledge and knowledge is power.” Louis Braille I find Louis Braille inspiring, not because of his blindness but of how he overcame it and

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achieved success. Louis Braille showed many people, including me, that even if you don’t think you can do something it is still possible. Louis Braille became blind when he was only three years old. He was in his father’s workshop playing with an awl when it hit him in the eye. Infection quickly spread to his other eye and he was left completely blind but he didn’t give up. Louis made an invention called Braille, which would help blind people read and be more independent. Louis Braille taught in poor and damp conditions, which probably contributed to him contracting tuberculosis. Louis was driven to conquer his disability not only for himself but for all of humanity. He dedicated his life to his invention and inspired the world to never give up.

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Tabitha Beavitt

Tain Royal Academy “Happiness isn’t about getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it.”

What happens at the age of twenty-three? For most young adults, partying, carefree fun and maybe even travelling are on the agenda. But not for Kristin Hallenga. No, at the age of twentythree, Kristin Hallenga was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. However, this was only after Kris visited her GP fourteen months earlier having discovered a lump. But her doctor sent her away, saying it was merely hormonal at her young age. Six months later, Kris’ ‘hormones’ remained. Her mother marched her back to her GP, demanding they scanned her properly. Eight months later a very angry and frustrated Kris found out that not only did she have the most serious case of cancer, but that it had spread to her spine. Immediately she was thrown into radiotherapy, then chemotherapy, then radiotherapy again.

What did she do? She wanted to raise awareness in young people about breast cancer. She wanted them to be diagnosed before it was too late. Coppafeel! was born. She now works full time for her charity, travelling round the festivals, school, and universities to raise awareness. Kris is still not cancer free. She never will be. But she is one of my biggest inspirations.

Amani Aden

The Green School “I don’t need easy, I just need possible.” Bethany Hamilton Bethany Hamilton is an American professional surfer. She is known for surviving a shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off and for overcoming the injury to return to professional surfing. On October 31st 2003, at the age of thirteen, Bethany Hamilton went for a morning surf along Tunnels Beach. It was around 7:30am, with numerous turtles, when a fifteen-foot tiger shark attacked her, severing her left arm just below the shoulder. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and luckily survived the attack. It wasn’t the attack that inspired me but the comeback. A surfer who had lost her arm was determined to surf again, despite her major setback. She had put aside her worries and got to a point where she was competing against people with two arms and coming first. She never went into states of depression but carried on winning several competitions in different countries and became a motivational speaker – inspiring people of all ages to go and achieve their dreams no matter what obstacles are in their way. She is also a professional surfer with numerous winnings and she is a very religious person, despite all she’s been through. It’s inspiring to me because she made the most out herself, was very appreciative of what she has and still achieved her lifelong dream. I aspire to be like this and I am a religious Muslim so it’s inspirational. I want to help people just like she did.

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Aksayaa Perinpakumar Tiffin’ Girls School “Obstacles are those frightful things when you take your eyes of the goal.” Henry Ford “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Mahatma Gandhi In a dystopian world, society is divided into five fractions. Each contains a particular value, bravery - think, peaceful, selfless and clever. At sixteen after growing up in one faction you can choose to stay or join another. This is my favourite story at the moment because after initiation the protagonists’ results mean she inconclusive and doesn’t fit into any category. This book discusses how we can’t be just one quality but many more and we should try to be all the factions instead of just accepting to one – it is alright to be different. To be Divergent. That we should stand up for what’s right at the right time. “Be Excellent” the phrase commonly used by this inspirational figure conveys so much more than just excelling but trying your best and acknowledging the effort. I have many inspirational figures but Alex Panayotou stood out to me with the wow factor. Her endurance skills were simply amazing and inspired me beyond any myth. She’s a female just like me and wasn’t particularly amazing at sports when she was younger – also like me. Having an inspirational figure so relatable made any goal seem closer and that I had a chance of achieving it. She was born in Ireland and she grew up between Greece and Ireland. Since 2003 she lived near Barcelona and is now forty-two years old. She had studied some very difficult subjects like sociology, philosophy and psychology, even graduating top of her class with an honours degree in Geneva, Switzerland. Already an astonishing athlete and a runner on top of that she has successfully learnt English, Spanish, Greek and French along with her ability to comprehend Catalan. But other than that, why

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do I choose her? I chose her because of her mental strength and her endurance skills even through hardship. An ultra-endurance runner who began only at the age of thirty. She stresses that it’s never too late to start doing what you admire and love and to strive to reach and achieve goals because it is possible if you try hard enough. “Be excellent” doesn’t only refer to her running but an attitude towards life that she possesses. It is to continue and never give up. Always try and achieve personal excellence, if you are capable of continuing then giving up is not an option during the attempts to achieve what you set out to do.

Helena Polomcic Tiffin Girls School “God chose you to live the life you do because he knows you are strong enough to live it.” “Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.” Nelson Mandela was born at a time very different than ours now. When the colour of your skin was your identity. An awful time for people with dark skin. And if it wasn’t for the courage and sacrifice shown by Nelson Mandela, we would still be living in that dreadful world now. Nelson Mandela is my inspirational figure because he showed so much courage and sacrifice through his life. He showed me and many others that no matter what is happening and even if you feel like the chances of making it are nil, then if you believe in yourself, anything can happen. He inspires me because he came from an ordinary home and yet achieved so much. This is inspiring to me because I now know that anyone from anywhere can make a difference in the world. I wish that I could have as much bravery as he had, he spent twenty-seven years in prison before making his freedom speech which could have landed him in prison again. It shows that one big dream, if believe in can come try and change everything. He spent his life fighting for freedom and in the end he got it.

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Rebekah Stobie

she wanted was peace and equality. She spoke out for woman’s rights, she protested for girls to be educated. The Taliban (a terrorist group) disagreed with Malaya’s views and on her way to school on October 9th 2012 they shot her in the head. Miraculously, after weeks in hospital, Malala overcome her injuries, which included having part of her skull removed - she survived. Despite the traumatic experience Malala hasn’t let it hold her back and now she is still fighting for women’s rights. Malala should be looked up to by everyone, she is a worldwide inspiration.

Tryst Centre

“We are all stars and we deserve to twinkle” Marilyn Monroe

Chloe Thompson Turriff Academy

Kristy Bruce Turriff Academy

“We realise the importance of our voices when we are silenced.” Malala Yousafzai

ADLIN A C C GT E B O N RE

Rebecca Adlington is my inspiration! She is one of Britain’s favourite swimmers and mine! Becky knows she is not perfect, or pretty, but she has done some amazing things that some people see as a dream come true. She bounces back from nasty comments she gets on social networks and just gets on with it! Although she has stopped competing in big competitions, her passion for swimming is still there. She has a vision that every child in Britain will be able to swim twenty-five metres before they leave primary school. I think this is an amazing challenge but I believe she can make it happen. She will always be an inspiration to me!

Malala Yousafzai is my inspiration. Why? Because although she is just an ordinary girl, she has made a huge impact to the world. Ever since she was young all

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I have learned about the values of the Commonwealth Games, as well as thinking more about my vision for a better world, what I want to achieve in life and learning more about my chosen inspirational figure.

Maria MacCaskill Portree High School

MP IC CHAMP

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INSPIRE

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Tasha Stephen

Steven Whitlock

Turriff Academy

Ullapool High School

I picked Rebecca Bee because she was just a young girl that just did what we would do when we are young just play and that but her mum put her into a gym to learn gymnastics at eighteen months. Now she is nineteen and she is still in the same gym that her mum put her in when she was just a toddler. She puts all her effort and hard work into this and she did miss her first Commonwealth Games when she was fifteen but she is having a second chance. Rebecca’s mum put her into a gym to learn gymnastics because her mum did it and her brother as well so her mum decided to put her into lessons and her mum was not at a high level as Rebecca is. And she just followed suit - she watched lots of gymnastics on YouTube hoping once day she will turn out how they are well she did, and she is got herself from a young girl to be a really good gymnast.

My inspirational figure is Derek Redmond who was a 400-metre runner and featured in the Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona. Derek was favoured to win a medal in the 400 metres but as he ran in the semi-finals he fell to the ground about 250 metres from the finish line. He had torn his hamstring and was in agonising pain, as medics came towards him with a stretcher, Derek got up and hobbled around the track, he was determined to finish his race, even though he was certain to be last. About 150 metres from the finish a man broke through security and ran to Derek’s side, it was his father. He said to his son “you don’t need to do this”. “Yes I do” was the reply “well then, we’re going to finish this together!” Together father and son continued, Derek’s father let his son go so that he could finish his race. Derek received a standing ovation from over 65,000 people. Speaking about it years later he said “my goal was to think medal, but when I tore my hamstring, I knew I had only a few seconds to think of a new goal, give up and be stretchered off or get up and continue and that is what I did!”

And she said that when her brother did gymnastics he was really good. Now she has overtaken him and she is the good. She did rhythmic gymnastics, which is when you do a performing floor routine to music using different pieces like rope, hoop, ball, and ribbon. Some people think that it is easy to wave a ribbon but when you have a hold of the ribbon you don’t know how to do it and there is much more than just waving a ribbon. She would like to take a year out of university to do full training and she would like to gain more experience. The Commonwealth Games mean a lot to her as she missed Delhi when she was fifteen and is now much stronger. Her coach is like a second mother because she encouraged her and to make her less scared. So Rebecca’s coach builds her confidence. She inspires me because I did gymnastics and I could have got where she got if I was still doing it. I’ve learnt that many people have so many problems in life and you have to stand up for what you believe and for others who are weaker than you. Most importantly I have learned there is so many inspiring people out there trying to change the world.

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Lauren Macarthur St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School

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Louise O’Neill Victoria College “It is during the darkest moments we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis “I didn’t want my future to be imprisoned in my four walls and just cooking and giving birth.” Malala Yousafzai

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AU DR EY HEPB U R N

ACTRESS

My favourite fictional story, was also my childhood favourite story: The Ugly Duckling because although it is a basic children’s story, it symbolises equality and teaches children to respect everyone and not to judge anyone on what their appearance looks like. My inspirational figure that I have chosen is Malala Yousafzai. One year ago, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban - her ‘crime’ was to have spoken up for the right of girls to get educated. The world reacted in horror. After weeks in intensive care Malala survived. Her full story can now be told - she is the teenager who marked her 16th birthday with a live address from UN headquarters and is known around the world by her first name alone, and has been lauded by a former British president as ‘an icon of courage

and hope’. Malala was born on July 12th 1997 in Pakistan. As a child she became an advocate for girl’s education, which resulted in the Taliban issuing a death threat against her. On October 9th 2012 Malala was coming home from school when a gunman fired at her hitting Malala in the left side of her head, the bullet then travelled down her neck. Thankfully Malala survived and has continued to speak out on the importance of education. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 and again in 2014. Her drive is for her personal future and future for many other girls’ equality, freedom, diversity and peace.

Maddie Robinson

Victoria College

“All for one, and one for all - united we stand, divided we fall.” Alexandre Dumas Many people see Audrey Hepburn as just a pretty face who could act. However Audrey Hepburn did many great things, all to help others around her. Hepburn was born into a well to do family, however she strived to help those who needed it most. In 1944 Hepburn used her talents to raise money for the Dutch Nazi resistance, she also acted as a courier for the resistance, delivering messages and packages. Hepburn’s wartime experienced sparked her devotion to join UNICEF, an international humanitarian organisation. Hepburn also understood the importance of education and worked to improve her languages, learning six languages fluently before her death. As strong as Hepburn may be, she experienced many miscarriages, this was a main factor to why she put acting on the back burner several times, in hope she might keep her children alive. She became an UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1989, and dedicated the rest of her life to helping children in third world countries. Audrey Hepburn has taught me that in spite of being born into a better off family, there is no you and I but only we, and that we must help each other, and although it may be hard and it seems everyone is against you. You must fight!

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ASPIRE

Robyn Winstone

maintained a positive attitude to life and I have learned to manage my condition by calculating the carbohydrates in my food and taking insulin.

“Don’t count the days, make the days count”

Yasmin Doyle

“Never regret anything because at one time it was exactly what you wanted.”

Victoria College

Fiona is an inspiration to me because she has helped me in every possible way and has stuck by me through good and bad times. Fiona is not only a diabetic nurse but someone who I have bonded with and became friends with throughout the years I’ve become diabetic. I know that Fiona is just a phone call away, which is very helpful in times where my blood glucose level has dropped significantly or increased. Fiona was there for me and my family when an accident occurred last Easter. Last Easter I sadly went into a diabetic coma, and without Fiona helping me to recover and fix my blood glucose level, I would be lost. All my hospital admissions Fiona has taught me that diabetes is just like a rollercoaster it has its up and downs. My life will never be the same. It’s hard to deal with but at the same time I’m thankful because is had showed me that I am stronger than I think I am. I have

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“Try to be the turtle – at ease in your own shell.” Bill Copeland

JESSIE J

My inspirational figure is going to be different from everyone else because a large number is writing about high class celebrities and I feel I am inspired by my diabetic team because they taught me and continued to that diabetes is only a word not a sentence. Within my diabetic team, Fiona is the lead nurse. When I got diagnosed with diabetes the world around me just collapsed. My life changed within seconds. I could look at my life in two ways, a teenage girl with diabetes who lives upon a bottle of insulin, without insulin my life would have ended three years ago or I could say I am a young girl who is enclosed by friends and family who I love and love me back. I am a young girl who is lucky to be here. People who don’t take their life for granted should be the one getting the life-long disease.

MUS ICIAN

Jessie J has opened up about how she was bullied by classmates when she was in primary school. She says “while most kids at primary school were fine with me, there were some who were horrible, my skin was green and I looked ill: I had sunken eyes and big teeth and a massive fringe. My ponytail was about four strands of hair.” Jessie J is an inspiration to people fighting against bullying. “Bullying became something I needed to write about.” She expresses herself through her song “Who’s

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laughing now”, which got a top hit. She states “it was a very honest song, kids really did pull my chair out from under me, and they did throw stones at my head.” Fight back to bullying, look how successful she is today, “Anything is possible and don’t let anyone or anything get in your way by what they say or do to you, always rise above it, it’s your life and only you can make your own dreams come true.”

Elise Donnelly

Victoria College Preparatory Department “The past does not = the future.” “Change is automatic. Progress is not.” Jim Rohn Mark Colbourne was born on 9th November 1969 in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, and Wales. He played volleyball at international level for Wales between 1990 and 1993. He broke his back in 2009 after falling 35 feet when forced into an emergency landing whilst paragliding. Following his accident Colbourne began cycling through Disability Sport Wales. He competes in the C1 classification for riders on upright bikes with the most severe disability. He trained with disabled cycling coach Neil Smith at the Newport Velodrome and made his first appearance in a track race in May 2010 at the Wales Grand Prix.

Fast-forward to the London Paralympics 2012 and Mark won a Gold medal in the

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Velodrome for the Men’s Pursuit as well as two silver medals. Mark Colbourne is an inspiration to me because he has never let his disability stop him in his journey. And he doesn’t let his disability stand in the way of his dreams. I really admire his persistence and determination and his ability to hope and dream. It has given me the belief that anything is possible. And if you believe, work hard, set yourself goals and have faith in yourself, then anything is possible!

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I have learned that sometimes you need to stop and think about yourself and what you’re good at as well as thinking about others. That you can be an inspiration no matter what you do. I have also realised my strengths, weaknesses and qualities.

Nicole Woodward Deans Community School

Priya Juttla

Vyners School “I’d rather wear flowers in my hair than diamonds round my neck.” “There are people so poor that the only thing they have is money.” Milka Sing demonstrates power and will to achieve and accomplish anything he wanted to with the developed qualities of commitment, positivity and loyalty. He is very inspirational to me because he has recovered and bloomed from such a harsh background: during the India/ Pakistan partition, at the young age of six, he viewed both his parents and brothers and sisters getting killed by the rivals. With no one left, he had no home or family so he ran, he ran away and he kept on running until he could forget his memory – by that he discovered his running ability. And from that he has become Indians most sportive accomplished man! I’d like to be the type of person that can move on from the bad and the past and bloom and excel in everything I do – this is the reason he has achieved so much success.

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Safron Salhan

Oprah Winfrey is not just another famous African-American entrepreneur but she is a great example of a person who has succeeded to rise from poverty and overcome terrible experiences in her past because of her determination and effort. Her decision to establish her own destiny and her self-confidence make her the perfect role model for anyone in the world. The qualities that she possesses have led her to become one of the most influential people in the world. Despite her enormous wealth and popularity, she remains a humble and kind person who is an inspiration to everyone. No wonder many awards have been given to her. Nevertheless, her journey to achieve all of this has not been easy as there were many obstacles during the process that could have knocked her down but in fact made her stronger.

Vyners School “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney “If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere.” Marilyn Monroe

PRENE E R U T

The reason that I chose Oprah Winfrey as my inspirational figure was because she has accomplished so much in her life and has overcome many barriers to become as successful and as powerful as she is. Oprah also has many qualities that I need to develop such as confidence, commitment, appreciation, hardworking, self-discipline and patience. Her aspiration to do well and to turn her life around shows that no matter where you come from or who you are you can make your dreams come true. And it goes to show that no matter what people say or what life throws at you, you can do it!

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Through doing this project, I have had the opportunity to actually stop and think about what is happening in my life currently, and it has made me think about the future.

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Michael Bissett Fraserburgh AcademySchool

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“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot “Stand up for what you believe in, even if you’re standing alone.”

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Y GAGA

Lady Gaga has inspired me with her diversity of her fashion and music but the most I get from her is that she always wear and does what she wants, she doesn’t care what anybody thinks of her and she gets on with what she wants to do and that is to make inspiring music. Another thing she has taught me is to fight for what you believe in and never give up. She has a very high status as a role model, self-esteem booster of her fans and fashion icon; she has a very unique place in the pop music industry. The music industry always looks for unique artists and she is definitely unique, she brings a lot of attention to the modern social issues and movements in popular culture. She inspires me also to do a lot more than just my wanted career, she has contributed too many large charities all over the world, and she held a concert in New York to raise funds for the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief fund. An hour after the Japan Tsunami in 2011 she posted a link on twitter for people to buy the Japans Prayer bracelets and all of the revenue she made on those bracelets was donated to the relief fund. Lady Gaga launched a charity called “Born this way foundation” which supports the youth of this world with issues like self-confidence, wellbeing, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development. Within this charity she launched a poster competition where she asked entrants to enter a poster which answered a question “What does bravery mean to you?”. Also on her “Born this way tour” she has a bus called Born Brave Bus, which let teenagers suffering from bullying drop in and speak to someone about it to help them beat bullying. She has also set up “Born Brave” community centres and school groups all over the USA which lets Kids and Teenagers drop

The final thing she has inspired me with is that she is a big image in the Gay rights movement this all started because in her early career she couldn’t get any time on the radio to advertise her music so she turned to the Gay community. She has performed and made speeches at many Pride parades across the US. Once her album “The Fame” had been released she announced on a TV chat show that the song had Poker Face was about bisexuality. Once her second album was released she stood up for Gays in the European Rights movement in Rome as many European countries are against homosexuals because of the religious back grounds and that led to many letting them have civil partnerships but not being allowed to get married. She is still fighting for that to happen across the world even to this day and she is never going to stop. That is why Lady GaGa inspires me and I hope she inspires you too. She inspires me now and that will last forever because I don’t think she is going to back down just yet because she still has a lot left in her. She is going to fight for her beliefs until the day she dies.

Waid Academy

in and talk about their problems to see if they can be solved.

Morgan Morris

AINER/MU

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Shaunlee Ogilvie Waid Academy “How wonderful is it that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank Rosa Parks inspires me because she refused to give up her seat to a white American on a bus where segregation was placed. Rosa Parks sat in the area for blacks on the bus, but when a white American got on the bus, there was no seats left in the white section so the man asked Rosa in the coloured section to give up her seat but she refused. She was asked politely to give up her seat by the bus driver but she refused. She said “All I was doing was trying to get home from work.” The white man asked her and three others from the coloured section to stand up but all she did was move along a seat so the man couldn’t sit down. The man asked her why she didn’t move and she said “I don’t think I should have to stand up.” The police were then called and Rosa Parks was arrested, she was charged for disorderly conduct and the segregation law of refusal. Why should a woman of a different race be told that she cannot sit on a bus in an area that is reserved for her and then to be told that she has to move to allow someone of the opposite segregation to sit there? She showed courage and real bravery to stand up to the white man and say that she didn’t need to move and what was the difference between her and white man? Nothing apart from her colour. She really inspires me because she tried to gain equality for everybody and peace between segregation while fighting for everyone to be treated the same. Rosa Parks has really made me think about other people and how society has changed since the civil rights movement in the 1960s in the USA.

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She has taught me how I and everyone should respect others of their race. Everybody, no matter what race is the exact same. We are all human beings and just because someone is a different colour, it doesn’t change them as a person. She has changed the world in terms of how we think and act as humans towards other people.

Steffie Scott

Wallace Preparatory Department “Success is 99% attitude and 1% aptitude.” Celestine Chua My inspirational figure is Malala Yousafzai she is a very courageous and brave girl who fought for the rights of girls and children around the world. Malala is my inspiration because she has put her own safety at risk by being outspoken in her beliefs on equality and human rights. I admire her strength, persistence, bravery, courage, passion and determination. She never gave up and although she suffered a horrific attack this has not stopped her in her campaign. Malala and her beliefs have taught me to appreciate the opportunity of a good education that I am receiving. She has inspired me to be persistent, hard-working and thankful for what I have got. Malala grew up in an unjust society, where religious extremists were in charge. The Taliban ruled Swat Valley in Pakistan with fear and terror. This motivated Malala to stand up to them and try using her father’s background in education and her passion for leaving she spoke out publicly calling for equality and education for girls.

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During this project I learned many things I learned that I should never give up on my dreams. I also learned that I should recognise what I am good at and stop putting myself down all the time. I learned that I am very lucky and should appreciate what I have.

Catriona Macdonald Hyndland Secondary School

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Holly Wright Ruthvenfield Primary School

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LEN KELLER

I have learned that I can now work hard to see if all the things I’m not so good at can be progressed. My qualities are recognised more because I’m trying hard to show them I now recognise them in other people too. I also can see more good in myself than the bad.

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Anisha Mehta

Watford Grammar School “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller “Most smiles are started by another smile.” Frank Clark Helen Keller was an incredible dear, blind, and mute woman who was determined to work and be educated despite the many challenges she faced. Helen lost her hearing, sight and ability to talk when she was only nineteen months old and found it hard to understand what was now happening around her. A teacher was employed by Helen’s parents to teach her how to communicate by using letters tapped onto her hand. She also learnt how to read using braille; letters made out of raised dots. Helen later learnt how to talk and how to type on a typewriter. Helen achieved a lot – she wrote a book and even became the first deaf blind woman to graduate from Radcliffe College in America. All of this is especially impressive because in those days most people believed that deaf, blind and mute people should be locked away. Without Helen Keller, the world might still undermine not only blind and deaf people, but anyone with a disability. Helen shows us that everyone is capable of doing something if only they put their mind to it. Hellen Keller inspires me to keep trying and to persevere if something goes wrong. She never gave up, even when things seemed hard for her, and I would like to be like that too!

Esha Shah Watford Grammar School “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King

Sean Swarner is no doubt one of the most inspirational people in the world. He, as some might say, has defied the impossible. He survived two fatal forms of cancer and has continued in these ways, having decided that nothing was impossible. He climbed the ‘7 summits’ and continues to do so. Sean also formed, The Caner Climber Association and also went out to write a very moving and powerful book entitled ‘Keep Climbing’.

Mikhela Treon

Watford Grammar School “Don’t go through life, grow through life.” Eric Butterworth “Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it.” Joe Clark Henry Louis Gehrig was born on June 19th 1903 and sadly passed away on the 2nd June 1941. He was an American baseball first baseman and played seventeen games for the New York Yankees. Gehrig was given the nickname ‘The Iron Horse’, because he was an amazing hitter. He was twice nick named the American league’s most valuable player. Midway through the 1938 Season Gehrig knew something was wrong. He felt tired and weak. At 1939 spring training he collapsed. He went to the hospital in Minnesota to find out what was wrong and had tests done. On his 36th birthday it was confirmed that he had ALS. He was told that he would have three years to live. This cause was unknown. ALS is a terminal neuromuscular disease where you get muscle weakness. It attacked the nervous cells in your brain and spinal cord. The muscles no longer get messages from the brain which make them function so they gradually deteriorate. Lou Gehrig inspires me not only because he was a great baseball player but because he didn’t let ALS bring him down. He did not worry what was to come but how good his life had been and how fortunate he was. He felt like he was the luckiest man alive and that was the only thing that mattered.

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International Finalists Brunei Darussalam

India

Danielle Grace E. Librauronte

Saru Sharma

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School

KIIT World School

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Dalai Lama

“If you’re not failing now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative” Woody Allen

This reminds me to be kind to others every time. It teaches me not to stop helping and it also teaches me to help out of kindness, not because I am forced to.

This quote is so irresistible, it leaves me spellbound. It encourages me to do things, to experiment, to explore things that are not yet explored.

Bangladesh

India

Maayeesha Farzana

Isha Sikui

Dr Khastagir School

Muhammad Ali – The heavy-weight boxer Ali has always been inspiring to me because of his brave attitude. He believed in himself and the goodness of others. He took out British heavy-weight champion Henry Cooper in 1963 and knocked out Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the heavy-weight champion of the world. Young Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Later, upon returning to the United States of America, Ali was refused service at a small diner because of his race. He walked out of the diner and threw his gold medal off a bridge, into the Ohio River. He claimed he didn’t want to wear a medal in a country where he couldn’t be served. Ali often referred to himself as ‘The Greatest’ and he was not afraid to sing his own praises. Muhammed Ali’s self-esteem and heroic attitude are so admirable and these inspire me to chase my dreams, care for others and make myself who I am!

Indraprastha School Florence Nightingale – studied hard to educate herself and then after years of experience and practice she founded a school of nursing to educate others. She was known as ‘The Lady with the lamp’. At the time of wars, she became a symbol of hope to the injured and took care of everyone. Her emphasis for others’ wellbeing is one of the important aspects as a role model for me. She has cast a long shadow on today’s healthcare issues. Healing others in time of need is a major factor which gives the spirit of humanity.

India Pratyaksh Singhal Step by Step School Mahatma Gandhi – is my inspirational figure as

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he led India to independence and also inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world. He taught people to have faith in themselves. He taught about resistance and persistence. He taught us to forgive people and also about learning from our mistakes. He taught us to live in the present with love. What I feel is that very few people have these qualities and are like Mahatma Gandhi. I find him admirable because of his qualities and also because of the messages that he wanted to give to people. He has done it very well through his quotes:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Quotes like these can very well be related with today’s world.

South Africa Barbara Alusala St Mary’s DSG

Mae Jamison – is a former NASA astronaut and American physician. She became the first black woman in space because when she went into orbit on the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992. Now Mae Jemison is a professor at Cornell University. She is my hero because she has showed me that what you look like is not the limit or boundary that stops you from living your dream.

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While thinking about what to write, I have discovered myself fully and realised who I want to be. This poster is a mirror which has showed me the reflection of the inner me. Fairuz Ishraque Chittagong Cantonment Public College Bangladesh

AMMAD A H LI MU

I would like to make Mahatma Gandhi my idol as I want to be just like him and do the good works he did like expending all my energy for the service of others, giving all my tasks the best shot and also emphasising the privilege of giving. I think he

achieved all the success as he was really focused and also knew what he had to do in life. He also had the right character traits to achieve his tasks.

CHA MPION

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South Africa I have learned that kindness is the most important thing that we can do in our lives. I have also gained confidence and courage for myself to start spreading kindness and start helping as much as I can to others.

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Danielle Grace RS.M.S.I.S Brunei Darussalam

Zamambembe Simelane Ikusasalethu High School

Nelson Mandela – is my father, my leader, my freedom and my president. He inspired me in so many uncountable ways. He is my strong role model, the man who became a martyr during South Africa’s apartheid decades before triumphantly leading the country into a new era. The man who cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people live together in harmony and with equal opportunities, even during his darkest days in Robben Island Tata did not abandon his beliefs. The values that Tata Nelson Mandela showed me are that even if you have tough or hard times in life, don’t lose even the last glimmer of hope that you have left in you. Because there is no easy road to freedom. He inspired me to carry on and finish school because “education is the key to fight poverty” and you cannot live without education. Mandela’s charisma and wisdom had the world in awe. He made South Africans want to share his joy of life. What inspired me the most is that when Madiba did not know something he admitted it and he also admitted when he was wrong. He is more resilient.

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Sri Lanka Hansi Radhakrishnan

St Anthony’s Girls College

Bethany Hamilton – is a natural surfer who

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began competing professionally as a young child. However, at 13 she lost her left arm and nearly lost her life in a vicious shark attack. There are a lot of qualities that I find really amazing about this athlete. Even after she lost on arm she still kept fighting. She did not give up. This determined spirit and positive attitude made her win the Women’s Division of the NSSA National Championship. And also Bethany’s character expresses that whatever we do, we should do it willingly. I find her inspiring because she always had an unquenchable hope in her heart. When she was attacked, she was a little girl of 13 years. Nowadays if a girl of that age would face something like that then she would probably lose hope in life. But Bethany was strong enough to fight back and make her way to success. So this is something really inspiring for all of us as the upcoming generation. No matter who the person is, to achieve success we all need some qualities like dedication, hard work, desire, hope and confidence. If we have these qualities in ourselves then it’s quite easy to achieve our goals. And it is also important that we have the ability to accept both defeat and victory in the same manner, because only then we would get the ability to stand against any difficulty. And in Bethany, I can see all these qualities that have made her way to success.

Tanzania Penueli Eliyuko Mmbaga The School of St Jude

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela This quote was once given by the late Nelson Mandela and it inspires me a lot because it encourages people to struggle hard in acquiring different skills through which a person will be

able to apply themselves in solving various issues and fulfilling his or her goals in life. This is to say that education is the key to all closed doors that are to be opened to bring success and great achievements.

Mauritius Deveindra Lukkoo John Kennedy College

“Doing the difficult things that you’ve never done awakens the talents you never knew you had” Robin Sharma This quote awakens the adventurous boy within me who always dares taking risks to discover new things as life gets boring when you stay within the limits of what you already know.

Kenya Madeleine Kohl Rosslyn Academy

Susan B. Anthony – believed in humanity, freedom, modesty, and diversity. She believed that women were no less important than men. Just because men worked, voted, were in the government and wore trousers, she didn’t let them push her around. She didn’t think that she was dirt, like some men did. She wanted men and women to be equal. I think that is a big part of society, and of life. Today, both men and women work, vote, are in the government, and wear trousers. Everyone is equal. If she could see the world today and what it has become, she would love it. Susan is so inspiring to me because she didn’t think that just because she was a girl, she was unimportant. She is my hero. Even though she didn’t get to see the 19th amendment, it is still called the Susan B. Anthony today.

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International Winners Australia BO

Holly Saing

B MARLEY

Dandenong South Primary Anne Frank was one of the most inspiring figures. What made her really special was that she was only a teenage girl. She became inspiring to millions across the globe and I am proudly one of them. Anne Frank was an unfortunate girl and luckily we are fortunate enough to know she existed. She was so unfortunate that she was involved in the holocaust that occurred during World War 2. She died young but the maturity presented in her diary she kept struck her dad, Otto Frank. I personally wouldn’t envy her although I would envy the people she loved. I could only imagine the worst that happened. She has taught me life is like a roller coaster and you can’t expect it to be a free ticket. Anything is possible. She is an idol and if she were still alive you would see her making headlines everywhere sharing her knowledge. Anne Frank’s diary alone represented the innocence of people and how they can suffer from intolerance and persecution. Her bravery and her ability in even writing a diary can show that in any circumstances you alone make anything possible.

Bahamas Jennikou Accius C.C. Sweeting

I am inspired by Bob Marley. He proves that everyone can get along. He fought his way to the top of the music industry as one of the fathers of Jamaican reggae music and never gave up - he is

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all about peace and love. I think that’s what the world needs so that everybody can get along. That is why Bob Marley inspires me.

Bangladesh Fairuz Ishraque Chittagong Cantonment Public College As a child, the first book I read was one of the Zafan Iqal’s. My whole life I have loved reading books and Fazan Iqbal was the one who indirectly encouraged me to this hobby. Dr. Mohammad Zafar Iqbal is a well-known Bangladeshi writer and scientist. He was born on 23rd December, 1952 at Sylhet of Bangladesh. So in his early adulthood, he had to experience the “The Liberation War” of Bangladesh in 1971. This has led him to spread awareness among the young people about the war. I had chosen him to be my inspirational figure long before I knew what the words ‘Inspirational Figure’ meant. I like and respect him so much because he is one of the very few adults I know who understands us children. He is a symbol of equality, freedom, diversity and peace to me

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The spellbinding books of Mohammad Zafar Iqbal have taught me the hardships of poor and helpless people, and how to love everyone, ignoring the differences that separate us. I once had the wonderful opportunity to meet this fantastic writer in person and that elevated my level of respect and admiration for him even more. After writing all this, I don’t think I need to write anything more to show that Zafar Iqbal is my inspirational figure, my true idol.

Barbados Aren Brathwaite Hilda Skeene Primary

Jack Ford F.I.C.S Falkland Islands

Brunei Darussalam Diana Seri Mulia Sajana International School I have many inspirational figures, but my favourite is Albert Einstein. I chose him because he’s persistent, creative and enterprising, which are some of the qualities that I have. When I was younger, I thought that smart people were always perfect, but over the years, I found out that even they have difficulties. As a child, Albert Einstein was a slow learner and spoke very slowly. He also had a bad memory and was noted for forgetting a lot. But these things didn’t stop him from trying again when he failed in something. He received a Nobel Prize in physics and created the famous equation E=mc2. Another reason why I chose Albert Einstein is because he loved music: “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music... I cannot tell if I would have done any creative work of importance in music, but I do know that I get most joy in my life out of my violin.”

AL BE

RT EINSTE

My inspirational figure is Usain Bolt St. Leo Bolt, born August 21st 1986. He is a Jamaican sprinter and the fastest person ever. He is the first man to hold both the 100 and 200 metre world records since fully automatic time measurements became mandatory in 1977. Along with his teammates, he also set the world record in the 4 x 100 metres relay. He is the reigning Olympic Champion in these three events. Bolt is the first man to win six gold medals in sprinting and is an eight time World Champion. Before the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Bolt came in second at the Jamaican trials in both the 100 and 200 metres. However at the Olympics he won the 100 metres gold medal with a time of 9.63 seconds, setting a new Olympic record and defending his gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In June 2012 Usain Bolt won the 100-metre race in the “Diamond League” in 9.79 seconds. He inspires me because as a boy he had his goals just like me and knew what he wanted in life. Bolt realised his dreams through hard work and perseverance. This teaches me to work hard and that I can achieve everything I set my mind to.

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I have learned what type of person I am and what I want to be like. I also learned a lot about many different people that are a big part of history.

because of what his books have taught us – the post liberation generation. There is no child or teenager or young adult in Bangladesh that his stories haven’t touched, thrilled and taught.

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Cook Islands

Mamifo Ngouanto Edith GCHS Santchou

Tia Henderson

Nelson Mandela is my inspirational figure. He promoted Freedom and Peace. During Apartheid in South Africa, he fought against racial discrimination. His wish was to see all people in his country united and to abolish the domination of the black man by the white man because no race is superior to others. He has achieved because in spite of the fact that he went to prison, and he was elected as the head of the state of South Africa. He was optimistic and courageous. He is a great figure for me because all his life he was fighting for the peace and freedom.

Oprah Winfrey is a well-known TV host. She hosts her own TV show. She inspired me because of what she has done for people. I know I am not the only one - she has inspired others as well. Oprah shows people that she is caring, loving, understanding, independent and trustworthy. She also is a force for good – encouraging, compassionate, generous and respectful. What I admire about her is that she helps women and men everywhere. She makes us women want to be independent. She loves her body and makes other women love their body no matter what size they are. I also admire that she had a tough life but was still determined to have a better future for herself. She finished her studies and started working at a radio and television b ro a d c a s t i n g. Then she got her own show. I want t o

Nukutere College

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I have learned to love, care, to be loyal, and caring for others all over the world.

Billy Joseph Edwin Nyarach Primary Kenya

Canada Nicholas Cascone Epiphany of our Lord School My family and I like to play hockey and I started getting into it and I thought this would be a game that we could play once in a blue moon. Then one day I saw my dad watching hockey and I started to watch and saw this guy Joe Thorten and I said to myself, “I want to be like that guy.” So that’s when I started getting into hockey and decided I wanted to be a hockey player and play for the San Joe Sharks.

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have strength and determination like her to carry out my dreams no matter how tough it gets, and also want to inspire others like she has done to me. I think the reason she is successful is because she was determined to show the people who did bad things to her that she was doing better and that they can’t do it to her again because she is stronger than them. She wanted a better life. She thrived to get to where she is today. No matter what bad history she had, that couldn’t stop her from being successful.

Falkland Islands Jack Ford Falkland Islands Community School My inspirational figure is Andrew Carnegie. He was a Scottish American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the 19th century. Carnegie was born in Dunfermline, Scotland on the 25th November 1935 and emigrated to the US with his very poor parents in 1848. He started work as a telegrapher, slowly investing in railroads, railroad sleeping cars, bridges and oil derricks. Later he built Carnegie Steel Company, which he eventually sold to J.P. Morgan for $480 million (equivalent to $13.6 billion in 2013). Carnegie devoted the rest of his life to largescale philanthropy,

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with special emphasis on local libraries, world peace, education and scientific research. Before his death on 11th August 1919, Carnegie had donated $350,695, 654 to various causes. At its highest Andrew Carnegie had a net worth of more than $298.3 billion in 2007 dollars making him the third richest person in history. Andrew Carnegie is my inspirational figure because he proved you can go from rags to riches. I also admire him for giving away most of his fortune to help other people. He didn’t keep all of his money and spend it on himself. He started with nothing and ended with everything. He died knowing that all his donations would make a difference to thousands of people’s lives.

Gibraltar Yva Kew-Pearson Loreto Convent School Ella Fitzgerald is my inspirational figure because she was The Queen of Jazz and was one of the greatest scat singers in the world! Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25 1917, in Virginia, United States. When Ella was young she loved to dance and would listen to jazz recordings. She idolised the lead singer of the Boswell Sisters, Conee Boswell and when her mother bought her records she said, “I fell in love with it... I tried my hardest to sound just like her!” She made her singing debut on 7th November 1934. She began singing often with the Webb’s Orchestra and recorded a few hit songs including “love and kisses” and “(if you can’t sing it) you’ll have to wing it!” Ella left the orchestra in 1942 and, now signed to the Decca label and began singing for the jazz impresario Norman Granz. Her scat recording of, “flying home,” was described by The New York Times as, “the most influential jazz recording of the decade!!!” Ella faced a lot of discrimination throughout her life and was the first AfricanAmerican person to perform at the Mocambo club and the Copacabana in 1957.

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India Aryan Ahmed

Springdales School To me the most inspirational figure is Bill Gates. He is a true example of a great entrepreneur, a great businessman and on top of that a great human being. Born to a wealthy family, he could have easily taken up a mainstream profession for himself, but he did not do so and decided to pursue his own dream, and wanted to create something on his own; he believed in magic, the magic of software. Such an idea or profession was so uncommon for his time, and he had to face several obstacles in the path to his goal, but he overcame all of them and founded one of the largest and most enterprising companies ever, Microsoft. He created a company whose products we now use almost every day in and out. He had the vision of creating a quality product at a price, which the general mass could afford. Through his hard work, courage, self-confidence and determination he built an empire and a fortune so great that no one else has managed to match it. He followed the unconventional path, the path in which he believed and found success, but after becoming the richest man in the world he realised that money and wealth held no value to him, but that real satisfaction lay in doing better for the society. He drew inspiration from his mother and started the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This foundation connected many of the rich and famous the world over and motivated them to donate the wealth they had in excess to the poor. And in this way soon, this foundation became the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest philanthropic foundation and has donated in excess of 30 billion dollars in the charity for betterment of the society and the world. Today his foundation works in the development of various aspects such as education, healthcare, agriculture, global warming, and infrastructure. Helping in

development of developing countries and much more in the entire world. His foundation has also vehemtrly protested against violence and has always supported peace and also works towards ending global warming. Through this act of compassion and dedication, the world is heading towards becoming a better place to live in. Due to Bill Gatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; foundation more people are now being educated, more people now have food to eat, more people now have access to better healthcare and more people can now dream of becoming responsible global citizens. I chose Bill Gates as my role model as he took the road less travelled by, something out of the mainstream for his time. He decided to dream big and had the will and determination to pursue it. He shows all the qualities of an extremely successful man. He sets an example for future entrepreneurs. But he also shows us the spirit of compassion, the urge to donate, the urge to do better for the society. He has touched the lives of millions of us in one way or another through his products or through his work for charity. Today people like Bill Gates serve as a figure of inspiration to me, a figure who became one of the most successful men in the world, but who also understood the value of working for the betterment of the society.

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Malawi Elisa Edwin

Lunzu Secondary School Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July 1918. He was born in the country of South Africa. During that time South Africa was colonised by Britain. The whites were treating the blacks as if they were slaves. Nelson Mandela was arrested and imprisoned for much his life. Although he was arrested things did not change in South Africa. Later on Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving in jail for 27 years. Nelson Mandela forgave the people who arrested him. As he said “forgiveness is poison that kills one slowly.” Nelson Mandela did this in order to show equality and peace to the people. Nelson Mandela became the first black South African President. He loved peace and he told his people that “If you want to make peace you have to work with your enemy then he becomes a pastor.” Nelson Mandela was telling his people to make friends with their enemies so that they easily maintain peace in the country. After a few years Nelson Mandela handed over leadership to someone else. He did this because he believed that “Death is something inevitable and when a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country he can rest in peace.” He said: “I believe I have made that effort and that is therefore why I sleep for eternity.” Nelson Mandela being the freedom fighter showed an example by giving the leadership to people who can rule the country. Nelson Mandela also encouraged education

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I got to know my inner instinct. Now it’s clear to me what and how I want to move ahead in life.

Nitin Kumar Bharti Foundation India

for the people of all nationalities by his words when he said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education being the most powerful weapon, people cannot be ruled by a person who did not do well in his education. Nowadays for a person to travel from one country to another they need to be educated. The story of Nelson Mandela inspires me because he showed me that when we want to do something we need to be courageous. Although Nelson Mandela was arrested he forgave the people who arrested him in order to maintain peace. Nelson Mandela also inspires me because of his encouragement of education. Nelson Mandela taught me that when doing anything I need to be courageous until I achieve.

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Maldives Billabong High International School

and accordance Mother, not to get a Nobel Prize or to get recognition. When we try to follow certain values, the values should come from within. It gives immense power to carry out any difficult or dangerous mission. The reward is the services done to others.

My inspirational figure is Mother Teresa, who was a humble missionary in Calcutta, one of the oldest cities in India. Her love for humanity is an inspiration for everybody. One woman, one mission – that’s all it takes to change the world. Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gnocchi Bojaxhin, in South Yugoslavia in 1910, came to Kolkota at the age of eighteen to pursue her life’s mission of caring for the poorest of poor. Mother Teresa persuaded the citizens of Kolkata that leprosy was not contagious. Mother Teresa offered solace to the dying. She rescued children from dustbins. She was Mother to them. She cared for them, protected them.

Mother saw the image of God in the poor, the orphan, the sick, the abandoned and so served them wholeheartedly as if she was serving God herself. Her selfless service to the cause of the poor and the sick won her international recognition. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1979. She passed away in 1997. Though she is no more, she has left a message behind: ‘faith and compassion can heal the world.’ I may not be able to do exactly everything that Mother did but if my intention or motive is different it may not bear fruit. So to follow an inspirational figure is to adopt values of that person and lead a life accordingly.

Mother Teresa was an incredible individual that showed the world many things about religion, love and compassion for mankind. Mother Teresa popularly known as the ‘Saint of the Gutters’, today stands as the brightest star in the horizon of the great personalities of the world. She epitomises service, kindness, dedication and love for the poor and the abandoned.

Malta

Peter Thomas Biiu

I have learned a lot about myself and my character. I have learned how I can help the world to live in peace and harmony.

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Christabelle Muscat St Ignatius College Malta

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Born on the 14th March 1879 in Ulm, Kingdom of Wurttemberg, Germany, Albert Einstein was one of the greatest scientists ever. In the fields of science, he is mostly known for the mass-energy equivalence (E=mc2), which is the world’s most famous equation. He also won the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics. Apart from being a scientist, he fought against racial prejudice. He thought that there are no races, since, according to him, everybody was a mixture of black and white. So, if you have white skin, you are not

I decided to lead a life, with shaping my values

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Today, most people consider her as a ‘saint of our times’, an ‘angel in human flesh’, and ‘a beacon in the world of darkness’. The real services are the one which aim to uplift the afflicted and help the needy. I decided to follow her foot prints, as far as I can to help the humanity. It my decision to help the needy and the sick in all possible ways I can.

Amy Carabott

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‘white’, because one of your ancestors may have been a ‘black’ person (and vice versa). According to Einstein, there are no pure races and everybody should have the same rights. I like Albert Einstein because he was a genius and I wish I could be like that when I grow up.

became an astrophysicist and a role model.

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Maximilien Chong Lee Shin John Kennedy College

He’s always right, he knows he is, because he always does the required research to justify it. He is one of the greatest thinkers of our time American astrophysicist, author and science communicator. His name is Neil deGrasse Tyson. To him, science is an art. There’s no need for cultural wars over religion. He believes in peaceful coexistence between believers and nonbelievers. He has his own views and respects those of others. He is not against beliefs, but against ignorance! Which are two different things. He believes in betterment and progress of mankind, not just his own country. Everyone should be given equal opportunities and rights. But that is not enough. People may have equal rights in a country. But most importantly, people should be encouraged to do what they want. The general consensus should not dominate their lives. Many black people, Tyson says, including himself, were generally told to become athletes, but not scientists. He thought differently. So he became what E no one expected TT of a black man. He U G

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Mozambique Sebastiao Mulauzi Dwayne Wade is my inspirational figure because beyond playing basketball, he has a foundation called “Wade’s World Foundation” the foundation provides support to community-based organisations that promote education, health and family service programmes. Dwayne Wade founded this in 2003, because he wanted to give back to underserved communities and support issues or purpose. Since 2003, the foundation has stood on the shoulders of its central purpose of promoting the education of youth and its three focus initiatives of literacy, health and fatherhood. The Wade’s World Foundation and its partners are dedicated to providing opportunities that enable children to overcome challenges, excel academically and reach their maximum potential. Dwayne Wade and his foundation have won five awards for his passion for philanthropy and community service. Dwayne Wade inspires me because he plays basketball like me and cares about the life and education of children. He is doing something for a better world by promoting education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations. I admire him because beyond winning three championships in the NBA he is doing something for the good of a lot of children. Playing great basketball and founding a foundation to help people, that’s something we should copy, and live for, because the world isn’t just for us, there’s a lot of people suffering and needing help, so I would like to live up to help people like Wade. I think that Wade achieved this working and training hard and loving people because I think that when someone helps others that means he loves that person. And I hope that D-Wade comes to Mozambique one day.

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Adeboke Comprehensive High School My inspirational figure is a successful couple, Juliet and James. Their manners were soft and unaggressive. They seemed to understand their relationship with others and with the environment through their expression of sympathetic listening and quiet, peaceful interactions. These individuals were given much regard and respect although they never sought it. They were accepted and appreciated as beings who displayed an elevated consciousness by wearing their success with humility. After meeting them, I felt empowered. I would like to live up to these qualities because when you are humble, you will be loved and appreciated by all.

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My father always used to say, “Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.” If we could but recognise our common humanity, that we do belong together, that our destinies are bound up in one another’s, that we can be free only together, that we can survive only together, that we can be human only together, then a glorious community, a glorious nation and a glorious world would come into being where all of us lived harmoniously together as members of one family, the human family. This is my mandate. true to yourself. Much like real life.

Norfolk Islands Teddy McRitchie Norfolk Islands Central School Walt Disney has inspired and entertained many generations including mine. After watching his movies for the last decade, I have been inspired to write and perform in my own plays. Disney movies all include humour, drama, happiness and sadness scenes, real friendships and being

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Sierra Leone Ishmail Kamara Educ Aid Ahmad Tajan Kabbah is my inspirational person because he helped himself and all the Sierra Leoneans during the eleven years of civil war. Civil war is a war between groups of people within a country. This was the time when many

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innocent Sierra Leoneans lost their lives and properties. For example, a child of two years old named Maimoune represents the children of Sierra Leone who have suffered from the civil war. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was democratically elected during the civil war. He stood up to protect the lives of Sierra Leoneans but he was overthrown, which led to his flight to Nigeria. He didn’t sit down in Nigeria to live a peaceful life, but rather because of the love he had for his people, he met with important African leaders like President Eyadema Alusegun – Abasunjo to ask for help. In the end Ahmed Tejan Kabbah came back to Sierra Leone and got what he and all Sierra Leonean people wanted. That is peace! Ahmad Tejan Kabbah inspired me because he is an iron-hearted leader. He stood firm to bring peace to Sierra Leone, that every Sierra Leonean is enjoying today.

South Africa Isabella Selzer St. Mary’s DSG Joanne Rowling was born on the 31st July 1965. She wrote her first story at the age of six years old.Mrs Rowling was a single parent and wrote the first Harry Potter book by hand. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in 1996 by ‘Bloomsbury Children’s Books’ after being previously rejected by several other publishers. She used the initials J.K because she didn’t want boys to know that a woman had written the book. The Harry Potter series has been sold in over 200 countries and has been translated into at least 60 different languages. Rowling is the 32nd richest person in the UK and is the first and only billionaire author. J.K. Rowling is my role model (I also want to be an author). She inspires me because she didn’t give up trying to have

her book published and didn’t let other people discourage her. Her story motivates me to keep pursuing my dreams and achieve my goals.

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This project has taught me that behind success is motivation. You need to encourage and believe in yourself if you want to move forward in life.

Isabella Fay Selzer St Mary’s Diocesan School South Africa

South Sudan Deborah John Russle Dr. John Garang International School

The person who inspires me a lot is Lionel Messi who was born on 24th June 1987 and is an Argentine footballer. He is considered one of the best football players of his generation and frequently cited as the world’s best contemporary player. The forward for the Barcelona and Argentina soccer teams had this to say about being a good person on and off the field. “I am more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world. When all of this is over, what are you left with?” Lesson, in order to survive in business, owners must focus on increasing profits. But those profits should not come at the sacrifice of operating your business in an ethical way. I am a type of girl who likes sports activities like swimming, running and playing. Football is fun and also keeps you fit and healthy. One day, I just wish to be the best female soccer player in the world as Lionel Messi. I love the way Messi plays, his playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to football legend Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his “successor”.

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Sri Lanka Mohammed Rimaz

Kurunduwatta Royal College My inspirational figure is Nelson Mandela as he is an exemplary leader, a spring of humanity who fought for the freedom for the black people in Africa. I am inspired by Nelson Mandela because he was conscious in achieving all his targets in his life. I consider him as a prime of freedom in my life. The reason I have taken Nelson Mandela as my inspirational figure lies in his awesome qualities such as spirit of humanity, equality, freedom, diversity and peace. He is also intelligent, dedicated and talented. I admire how much he has committed for the spirit of humour in those days. He has always being successful in achieving his goals. His skills, his brilliance and his commitment made me realise there is more to life and that you should not turn your back on your dreams. Nelson Mandela is always up for a challenge and has committed his time in overcoming challenges; me as well as the people admire him for those qualities. This poster inspired me a lot. I learnt a lot of English uncommon words and I improved my English knowledge in various ways. I understood where I need to be improved and where I am good at. This project taught me so many other things to achieve ahead in my life.

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Mohamed Rukshan K Royal College Sri Lanka

Tanzania Amani Mosha The School of St. Jude

Gemma Sisia was born in Gurya in 1971. She started a school that provided free and quality education to children who are smart but don’t have

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means of supporting themselves in education. I find her qualities such as being hardworking, kind, visionary, co-operative and many others made her stay focused and led her to turn the dream she had into reality. Nobody saw her vision and dream but because of her hard work and cooperation she shared her dream with people and hence brought a great change in society. Her qualities make me feel that any human needs values and qualities and then they need to be determined, kind and hardworking. Dreams that carry visions and co-operation have the strength to bring about a great change in society. I also pray that I am granted good qualities like hers so as to achieve bringing a wonderful change in my society.

Uganda Nassolo Proscovia Trinity College Nabbingo My inspirational figure is Mohandas Gandhi, who many people consider the greatest in the 20th century. He was born in India in 1869. He freed India from rule by the British Empire but it was how he did it that won the world’s respect. He was against violence, he studied law and practised it in South Africa, Gandhi was angry to find that Indians were denied basic freedoms, so he began to lead them in 1896 in South Africa in a struggle for equal rights. It was not an armed struggle as he preached non-violence: when attacked they did not fight back. His followers refused to obey unfair laws, and when attacking they used peaceful means. He described his policy by an Indian word that meant “truth and firmness”, he was jailed many times but his courage won people to his cause. In 1914, the South African government granted Indians their rights. He returned to India in 1915, his goal was to win for his country the right to rule itself his method was strong but peaceful. During the years of resistance, Gandhi lived a simple life of the poorest Indians. He gave away

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his possessions. People called him “Mahatma” meaning “Great Soul”. It was a title given to wise religious leaders since he had done the best for them he deserved it. Not all Indians followed Gandhi, and sometimes violence erupted against the British. This troubled Gandhi so much that he quit politics several times but his people kept drawing him back. He made a speech which inspires me a lot and it keeps me moving whenever I feel I should stop. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” He said in 1948 on 30th January, he was shot and killed by an Indian who hated his efforts to

achieve peace. His death was considered a world tragedy. But his life inspired many other people. One person who followed his way was American Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr who also inspired others. I admire all that Mohandas Gandhi who is also known as Mahatma Gandhi did because they were out of persistence, perseverance, care, patience, hard work and patriotism. Through all that he managed to achieve his goal of enabling India to gain her independence and the people to gain their freedom. I believe if I try to be like him and follow his values then I can change the world positively, starting from my homeland “Uganda” to the other parts of Africa then worldwide.

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WWI : Inspiring Purpose The Centenary commemorations for the First World War will begin in 2014. We have created a new poster programme to mark this centenary and provide an opportunity for self-discovery and personal development, helping young people to find the inspiration to develop aspirations for life. Completing the poster will help students to learn about values from history and the heroic stories of those who fought and suffered on the front, often making the ultimate sacrifice. In the process students learn new things about themselves about others and about history. Â A small number of schools have helped to pilot the poster this year. The top primary and secondary posters are on display. The studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s named below will receive an award.

PRIMARY WINNER: Jessica Thorburn, Errol Primary 76

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SECONDARY WINNER: Reece McCallum, Baldragon Academy

The anniversary of the First World War cannot only be about remembering sacrifice but it is also an opportunity to ensure that young people understand how conflict can easily arise out of ambition, prejudice and arrogance. Selfawareness and self-understanding can be powerful influences against reasons to the use of force in all circumstances, which is why I support his project.

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Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell, CH, CBE

For more info or to take part please visit:

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Teacher Feedback The ultimate ambition for the ‘Inspre>Aspire: Global Citizens in the Making programme’ is to encourage as many young people as possible to consider their own personal character, values and inspirations so that we enable them to build the foundation of a life full of purpose. We can only achieve this because of the inspiring and dedicated teachers who choose to deliver our programme, below you will find a selection of their comments about the value of the programme:

Mrs McGowan and Mrs Norwood Abbey Primary School

Extremely valuable allowing children to reflect and focus on values and qualities especially during their transition year. Allowed them to realise their aspirations for the future and how they could inspire others within the community and wider world.

Mrs A Spiers and Mrs K Dunn St Ninian’s Primary School

Randa Watt

Dalgety Bay Primary School The pupils really engaged with the topic they all had plenty to share and discuss. It is a very interesting way to approach developing personal qualities and looking at character development over a lifetime. A very valuable programme.

Joyce Mackie Foveran Primary School The children fully embraced this programme of learning. They were enthusiastic and motivated throughout. Keen to showcase their success and achievements there was spontaneous discussion, sharing and appreciation of each other’s believes, values and visions for the future. We all enjoyed using the structure provided in the template. The

children certainly got to know their own and each other’s strengths and future aspirations through understanding why some people are influential and inspirational. This learning certainly takes us well on our way to earning ‘Rights Respecting School’s Studies’. This is a fantastic programme of learning.

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We found this programme extremely valuable it allowed us an incredible insight into many of the children’s thoughts, feelings and ambitions. We have recently completed areas of Global Citizenship and this enhanced their learning.

Helen Hendry Fraserburgh Academy I was drawn to this resource as my class were studying a unit on self-awareness and the first section of the poster on ‘Values and Qualities’ fitted perfectly. Similarly, the ‘My Arc of Destiny’ section was the section which really determined the awards winners – pupils provided quality information, offering insightful thoughts towards their better world.

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Margaret Muirhead Glasgow Academy Every year I find the whole project exciting and worthwhile. I do it with our S2 year group and they get very enthusiastic about completing the poster – they are part of a class but their work is so individual and it gives their teachers a completely new insight into the children.

Joseph Casey Good Shepherd Centre Absolutely fantastic resource. Pupils loved it. Our school caters for vulnerable young people so this was a challenging task. It encouraged introspection and was very fulfilling.

Susan Johnson Hyndland Secondary School Invaluable – about the only space where pupils can reflect on meaning value, and most of all, purpose!

Carol Gollop

Inverurie Academy Global citizens in the making is a great tool to enable pupils to think about and reflect upon their place in the world. It offers them the opportunity to look beyond themselves, and identify the key values and ideals that are that are important to them. Many pupils comment on how they hadn’t thought about themselves in such a deep way before. It always proves to be a positive and encouraging experience

for all pupils involved. Rarely do they spend so much time focusing on themselves, sharing what makes them tick, what challenges/inspires them, looking forward to the future and making a positive impact for change.

Zoe Brown Langholm Academy Inspire-Aspire has been a tremendous programme to be involved in. I have witnessed pupils of all abilities reflect on the type of person they are and who they want to be in the future. It has been a privilege to work with them and I think it has had a huge influence both on how the pupils value and support each other and on how I approach my teaching.

Anne Connolly St. Dominic’s High School Exceptionally valuable. It gave me great insight into the values, hopes and dreams of pupils I thought I already knew very well. The pupils were very reflective in their responses and enjoyed completing their posters.

Corinne Latham

Wallace High School Preparatory Department I think the best thing about this programme is the opportunity for young people to think about their role models and the type of person they wish to become. It fits in perfectly with our PD+MU programme. It is a great programme! The children and adults involved gain a great sense of worth.

The challenge before us, therefore, is to make this 21st century a century of dialogue when conflicts are resolved non-violently. We are happy to report that the project has impacted so many Children, inculcating values of world citizenship, universal brotherhood and building the defences of peace in the minds and hearts of children. We in Nigeria are planning to have the 1st inspire>aspire: Global Citizens in the Making international children forum in November 2014 under the theme; Transforming Inspiration into Aspiration and sub theme as Every Child Is Special.

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Inspire-Aspire has made me learn that if I put my mind towards something I can do it very well. Also, I have learnt about Martin Luther King and what he did which has inspired me to do my best. The biggest achievement I’ve made in this poster is believing in myself.

Tom Pendry Elie Primary School

I have learned things about myself that I didn’t even know about because I have reached deep inside my soul to give you my answers. I have improved my computer skills. I am proud of myself for completing a big sheet like this and for trying to give mature and sophisticated answers. This is an achievement I will remember forever.

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Charli Dolan St Ninian’s Primary School

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By doing this poster I have learned what I need to improve on as a person. I have also been able to put my feelings in a piece of work again after a long time. By taking part in this project I have been able to say what I’m good at because I can be very insecure about myself. I feel like I have achieved a lot by doing this project.

Jamie Aquino Gracemount High School

It has made me realise how lucky I am to have so many nice loyal friends. I have learned that the world is not perfect as it so I will try to do anything I can help make this world a better place and follow in the footsteps of my inspirational figure.

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Iain Nelson Gairloch High School