Community & Business
11 March, 2026
St Stephen’s students shine
BOTH the Mareeba and Atherton Lions clubs recently held their annual Youth of the Year competition, which saw students from St Stephen’s Catholic College take out all awards at each event.
St Stephen’s students have once again dominated both the local Youth of the Year (YOTY) events, with Amritvir Kaur taking home the YOTY and Public Speaking Champion awards at the Mareeba event, while Grace Folino-Gallo was named YOTY winner and Diwani Mapolisa the Public Speaking Champion at Atherton.
Last year’s events were also dominated by St Stephen’s students, with Diwani taking out both awards at Atherton, while Harley Cek won YOTY and Yun Kang Dang the Public Speaking Champion at Mareeba.
Atherton Lions YOTY chair Sandra Taske said it was a very successful event this year.
“We had five students from three schools participate. The judges really had a hard time deciding the winners,” she said.
“All the students shone in front of an audience of 40, including Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti and family, Lions members, teachers, and family.”
In Mareeba, nine students from Mareeba State High and St Stephen’s contested the event. Event coordinator Gary Searle said any one of them could have won the competition.
“It is a challenge to put yourself through the selection process, judging, and public speaking,” he said.
“The calibre of these students was exceptional. Thank you students, parents, teachers, and judges who gave up their time for the event.”
Grace and Amritvir now advance to the Zone Final, which will be held at the Mareeba International Club this Saturday.
