A community-minded student who strives to give pupils “the confidence to be who they are”, has become the final monthly winner of the 2013 Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award.

Mia Sands, 17, who goes to King Solomon High School, Forest Road, Barkingside, was nominated for the Exchange Ilford-sponsored award by teacher Denise Wynne.

Judges have chosen her as the winner for December.

She and nine other monthly winners are now in contention for the overall award.

The winner will be announced during the Mayor’s Community Awards next month at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, and will go forward to the ­national awards to be held in the spring.

“My parents always taught me how important it is to give back to your community,” said Mia.

The teenager is vice-chairman of Jewish youth movement Bnei Akiva at her local centre in Ilford.

As well as planning meetings, she also organises fun activities and oversees programmes for youngsters aged six to 16.

When she leaves school in July, she plans to take a gap year with Bnei Akiva to teach and lead young children in Israel.