St Ann's celebration for creative kids

Four of the youngsters — Jesika Tokarova (18), Tibor Mroc (14), Richard Mroc (12) and Boris Kondik (13) — received Arts Awards for participating in arts activities, while Kevin Gazo (13) received the prize for for Best Angel by a Young Person at this year’s Festival of Angels.

Jesika, Tibor, Richard and Boris regularly attend youth clubs at YMCA Rotherham’s myplace centre in St Ann’s, where they have learned several new skills from professional artists and their youth workers.

They helped with the Tribo Fogo collaborative arts project, which explored the story of two tribes through drama, dance, music and circus skills.

Jesika (pictured below) achieved a Bronze Award for her part, while Tibor, Richard and Boris all earned their entry level Explore Awards.

Keen rapper Jesika performed at several events over 18 months, including Holocaust Memorial Day and Eastwood Funfest.

She learned beatboxing skills from professional spoken word artist Testament, writing her own lyrics about young people’s issues like mental health and relationships.

Boris, Richard and Tibor learned circus skills and dance, percussion and beatboxing.

Tibor even performed as part of a beatboxing troupe in Clifton Park for the Tribo Fogo event, overcoming his nerves to show off his talent.

Talented Kevin(pictured below with YMCA White Rose's Nicola Harding) regularly attends youth clubs at myplace, where he learns new drawing techniques from youth worker Tom Haywood.

But the award-winning angel picture was his first attempt at using paint.

Nicola Harding, project coordinator at YMCA Rotherham, said: “I’m proud of each and every young person who attends our youth provision here at Myplace.

“These young people are only an example of the talent, enthusiasm and love that young people bring to Myplace and Rotherham.

“We have so many talented young people who attend our youth clubs and our job is to nurture that and encourage them to follow their passion.

“Kevin, Jes, Tibor, Richard and Boris are a credit to us, their community and themselves.”