NOT one but three local schools have been hailed for their contribution to the wider community at a prestigious awards ceremony. The Moray Young Citizen Awards saw Portknockie Primary pick up a Highly Commended, while Findochty Primary and Buckie Community High School’s Year of Young People (YOYP) group both went back home clutching Commended awards. All three schools were honoured for their work in reaching out to and engaging with the wider community in a number of different and innovative ways. Portknockie head teacher Karen Murray said the school’s triumph was one that should be shared by the whole village. “Everyone at Portknockie Primary is delighted by our achievement at the Moray Young Citizen Awards,” she told the Advertiser. “Citizenship is a very important part of the life of our school and we enjoy working closely with, and for, our local community. “Our school receives a great deal of support from this wider community and we hope they will share in this success.” Over at Findochty, head teacher Dawn Thomson was under no illusions what the commended certificate meant to the pupils concerned. She continued: “This award means everything to them, especially after all the hard work they put in. “It’s wonderful to see them recognised like this. “The awards evening was also a great opportunity to join in celebrating the achievements of the other finalists.” Meanwhile, senior youth worker for the Buckie area Barbara Leitch, who was involved with the YOYP project, praised the S3-4 students who organised a number of community fundraising events, the proceeds going to charity. “The YOYP committee ran for a whole year and saw both wonderful commitment from the young people and support from the wider community,” she commented. “It’s given them a lot of confidence in so many ways. “They’ve had to learn how to manage their time and how to manage events while at the same time broadening their horizons and social skills. There’s been a lot for them to take in. “All of them volunteered for these roles and they all stepped up to the plate.” There was praise for all of the young people’s efforts from Moray Council’s education and young people’s services chairwoman Councillor Sonya Warren, who is also an elected member for the Buckie ward. She added: “We’re all so proud of the young people represented at the Moray Young Citizen Awards, including those from Portknockie, Findochty and Buckie High. “There are so many young people doing fantastic work in our communities. It’s great to see these young people being recognised and celebrated and was really heart-warming to hear the great work that is being done.”