Talented crop of Hackney youngsters celebrated at Jack Petchey Achievement Awards

Lara Slyce won a Jack Petchey Achievement Award last week in recognition of her work for Hackney-based charity WORLDwrite. (Image: Archant)

Taking place at Stoke Newington Town Hall, the event saw 95 young people from organisations across Hackney receiving a certificate and a cheque for £250 each.

One of the youngest winners on the night was Clapton Girls’ Academy student Katia Benamanne, who had impressed at the Salters Chemistry Festival at the University of East London.

The 13-year-old was part of a team that went on to achieve second place in the competition, the furthest the school has managed at the festival in almost five years.

A spokesman for the school said: “Katia has consistently excelled in her learning and has shared her skills with other students as an ‘expert teacher’ on many occasions.

“She is a role model to her peers and she is an active school council and debate club member.”

Another bright young star is Lara Slyce who has been a key member of Hackney-based education charity WORLDwrite for the past two years.

The 17-year-old has made contributions on issues such as feminism an the state of the British economy and has also made a film on Afro-Trinidadian historian CLR James.

Hackney Community College student and budding lawyer Fahima Tasnim, 18, and Brooke House Sixth Form College volleyball star Damian Andrzejewski also picked up awards.

Set up by businessman Sir Jack Petchey in 1999, the Jack Petchey Foundation has raised more than £3million for schools and organisations in Hackney since funding started a year later.

Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville said: “I was proud to give awards to so many inspiring young people at this year’s awards.

“Like Sir Jack I left school without any qualifications, so I know how important it is not just to have first chances, but second and sometimes even third chances from people and organisations like the foundation who can help you succeed.”