Lifetime honour of Diana Award presented to inspirational young role models

Oxford High School is delighted to announce that Miriam Zegeye and Rachel Nigriello (both Year 13 students) have been publicly honoured with the Diana Award.

Miriam Zegeye and Rachel Nigriello

The Diana Award is a unique lifetime honour presented to individual young people for their compassion and outstanding and selfless contributions to their communities. These exceptional young people are positive role models for a generation by challenging negative stereotypes of young people. Award holders automatically become members of the Diana Alumni programme enabling them to continue their hard work and provide them with the skills to develop to their full potential.

Miriam and Rachel have been chosen for the Award because of their outstanding contributions to the community and their school, and the dedication and initiative that they have shown. Miriam, 17, volunteers at St John’s home and has also volunteered at the geriatric ward in the John Radcliffe Hospital. She was elected by her year group to be Oxford High School’s representative in the Oxfordshire Youth Parliament and has held this post for 2 years. She is one of three students chosen by the Youth Parliament to sit on its public bodies’ consultation panel (on affairs related to the police and health services). At school, Miriam is Chair of the School Council, Chair of the School Ethics Society and volunteered to be the charity representative for her form.

Rachel, also 17, volunteers at the Isis Care Home (she plays the piano for the residents) and helps with the Oxford Otters Club (a swimming group for the disabled and elderly). She has made active contributions throughout her time at school, being involved with helping to organise activities for different year groups (including a Year 8 pyjama party, Year 9 karaoke event and a Year 11 dinner). She has contributed to the school magazine committee with enthusiasm and commitment and has been involved in everything from many Senior School shows to lifeguarding!

Mrs Judith Carlisle, Head at Oxford High School said “We are all extremely proud of Miriam and Rachel. They are both truly inspirational role models and I am sure that this award will also encourage others to become involved in community work.”

Maggie Turner OBE and Chief Executive of the Diana Award, says: “This highly prestigious award gives young people, of all abilities, circumstances and cultures, recognition at a time when their life choices are still to be made, enabling them to make a real positive difference to their communities. As individuals Award holders change lives but as a group of community entrepreneurs they have the power and ambition to build the cohesive society in which we would all like to live.”