Cornwall’s Rising Stars Secure £37,795 in Grants and Mentoring Support

Published On: 15 November 2024Last Updated: 15 November 2024By CornishStuff

24 Talented Young People Recognised Across Sports, STEM, and Performing Arts

Cornwall’s brightest young talents have received a major boost, with 24 individuals aged 14 to 23 awarded a combined £37,795 in grants and mentoring support. This latest round of awards from Young & Talented Cornwall, The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund highlights the exceptional abilities of the county’s next generation across sports, performing arts, and STEM fields.

Supporting Dreams with Grants of up to £2,000

The second cohort of the year includes budding stars from diverse disciplines such as gymnastics, jazz guitar, sprinting, and astrophysics. Each recipient is set to receive up to £2,000 to further their talents and pursue their aspirations.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, who leads the scheme, presented certificates to some of the awardees at Rodda’s Creamery in Scorrier. The creamery, one of the fund’s key business sponsors, hosted the celebratory event.

Celebrating Cornwall’s Emerging Talent

Among the standout recipients is Lucy Cathery, a 15-year-old gymnast from Gulval representing the South West, and 17-year-old Sawyer Wragg, a top UK sprinter from Lanivet. Jazz guitarist Jacob Jewell, aged 17 from Helston, also received recognition, alongside Newquay’s number one tennis player, Sofiia Hrytsekno, aged 16.

Natalie Philips, a 17-year-old Grade 8 soprano singer and Truro Cathedral chorister, gave a live performance at the awards evening, showcasing her exceptional vocal talent.

Spotlight on STEM Excellence

The Spirit of Trevithick cohort highlights the achievements of six young individuals excelling in science, technology, engineering, and maths. These include Florence Castleden, aged 16 from St Cleer, who recently came second in Café Scientifique’s Young Scientist of the Year competition, and budding astrophysicist Oak Cowles, aged 16 from St Teath and St Breward.

Olivia Bennett, aged 20 from Chacewater, a passionate advocate for geology and mining heritage, is also among the recipients. Alongside their grants, these young scientists will benefit from a year-long mentoring programme, offering invaluable guidance from industry experts.

Championing Cornwall’s Future

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho praised the breadth of talent within the county, stating:

“The breadth of exceptional talent in such a wide variety of fields demonstrates what a hotbed for talent Cornwall is; from sports to performing arts and STEM, our young people are thriving in every aspect. They deserve to be given the opportunity to achieve their potential regardless of any challenges they face – and that’s where Young & Talented Cornwall can help. It is such a pleasure to be able to support these talented young Cornish people and help them make their mark.”

Nicholas Rodda, Managing Director at Rodda’s, echoed these sentiments, adding:

“Young & Talented Cornwall is a wonderful initiative, encouraging and empowering young people in Cornwall to realise their full potential. We are proud to support the programme and to be contributing to the development of the next generation of inspirational Cornish talent.”

Applications Now Open

The next round of applications for Young & Talented Cornwall is now open. Young individuals with exceptional abilities are encouraged to apply. For more details, visit www.youngandtalentedcornwall.org.

This programme showcases Cornwall’s dedication to nurturing and supporting its youth, paving the way for a brighter and more dynamic future.