Medway's Youth Parliament has put forward four of its finest for this year's Pride in Medway awards.

All four help to dispel the myth that today's young people are lazy, anti-social and rude.

Bethany Evans, from Chatham, won a Try Angle award for bravery in 2008 She has been suffering from cancer and broke her shoulder in a fall but her spirited attitude has set a fine example to her peers.

A spokesman for the youth parliament said despite her problems, her attendance at school had been excellent and she remained hard-working and conscientious.

Sam Day, from Rochester Math School, has been an active member of Medway Youth Parliament since April 2006 and is described as a "great role model and friend to all our members".

A spokesman for the youth parliament said: "He is always polite, firm, unshaken and determined. He knows what he wants to say and sticks to it."

Jo Balk has been involved with the youth parliament since she was 11 and over the past seven years has campaigned on many issues and represented the views of young people in Medway on all levels.

Jo, who has recently started a career with Kent Police, was chairman of the youth parliament last year and has also chaired the crime and community safety sub-committee on the Kent and Medway Young People's Safety Forum.

The spokesman said: "Jo is able to speak to people regardless of age or background in a mature and sensitive way while still putting across the views of young people."

Also nominated is sporting star Cody Hierons, from Chatham, who is now ranked third in British men's snowboarding.

He took up with sport at the age of nine and has competed in numerous events and has been invited to join the British team.

"Cody won a Try Angle award for his sporting achievements and we feel he deserves more recognition for such a great talent," said the youth parliament spokesman.