A bright young star from South Leeds is making headlines after being recognised by the 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, for her remarkable contributions to civic life, education, and youth development across the city and West Yorkshire.
Miran Almass, a dedicated student from Cockburn School and an exemplary member of the RAF Air Cadets, was recently awarded a prestigious Certificate of Appreciation by the Lord Mayor during a special ceremony at Leeds Civic Hall.
Representing the City of Leeds 168 Squadron, Miran has shown unwavering commitment to discipline, leadership, and public service through her cadetship, inspiring peers and commanding admiration from leaders across the region.
In another impressive stride, she has been selected to attend the University of Cambridge King’s College as part of the elite ‘Calculating Women’ programme, aimed at nurturing mathematical talent in young women from diverse backgrounds. This opportunity places her amongst the most promising young minds in the country and highlights her academic brilliance in STEM, a field where British Muslim girls remain significantly underrepresented.
Equally impressive is her environmental advocacy. As a proud youth representative of the Green Futures climate action group, Miran has contributed meaningfully to campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at combating climate change and protecting our natural world. Her voice has been a powerful force for sustainability and environmental awareness, ensuring that young people have a seat at the table in conversations about the planet’s future.
Miran said, “I’m deeply honoured to have received this recognition, I’m proud of my heritage and history coming from a family of dedicated and decorated soldiers. My journey has only just begun, and I hope to continue making my family, school, and city proud.”
Her parents are deeply involved in both civic and community life in Leeds, her father Gohar Almass was the city’s Armed Forces Champion as a councillor, expressed immense pride in Miran’s achievements, saying:
“We are incredibly proud of Miran and her dedication, humility and determination. We hope her story encourages other young people to believe in themselves and work towards a brighter future.”
Miran’s message to the youth of today is clear: Aim high, work hard, and believe in yourself. Impossible is nothing!
This post is based on a press release issued by Cockburn School
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