The North American Manx Awards were held to honour students’ contributions to Manx culture on Friday.

The awards honour the outstanding achievements of children and young people in language, music and the arts.

Roo Hyett, 14, and Sophia Taylor, 17, who attend QEII were recognised for music and language respectively.

Ten-year-old Ben Cawtherley, a pupil at Bunscoill Rhumsaa, was recognised for overcoming a disability to make a difference in his community and St John’s pupil Thomas McAleer was recognised for art.

All winners were presented with a specially minted silver medal by David Holmes, a life member of the North American Manx Association (NAMA) and Laurence Skelly MHK, past president of the NAMA, who presented awards to Ballakermeen’s Izabela Garczynska and QEII’s Ealish Ayres for their progress in Manx language.

Minister Skelly said: ’Recognising our heritage and culture gives a sense of unityand belonging after such a difficult year filled with challenges.

’It is more important then ever we acknowledge the young people who have contributed so importantly.’

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture said: ’It has been a tough year for everyone and these endeavours and exceptional talents of our young people and their contribution to our rich Manx culture.’

The awards have been run each year since 1978, when the convention of the NAMA assembled at Rocky River, Ohio, and resolved to spend $1000 on a project to commemorate the millennium of Tynwald in 1979.

Award winners:

Manx Music, Roo Hyett (QEII); Manx Language, Sophia Taylor, (QEII); Manx Art and Crafts, Thomas McAleer (St John’s Primary School); Manx Culture (under 18) Maeve Callister-Wafer; Manx Culture (by a group under the age of 25 Share na Veg; The Manx Community by overcoming a disability Ben Cawtherly (Bunscoill Rhumsaa); Most progress in Manx, Izabela Garczynska (Ballakermeen) and Ealish Ayres (QEII).