In accepting the Express Individual of the Year award 2011 yesterday, national swimmer Shanntol Ince urged young people to believe in themselves.

Ince, 16, created history when she represented Trinidad and Tobago last year with her participation in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

She also captured bronze medals at the Parapan Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, last year in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle events.

Ince, who was born with her right leg significantly shorter than her left, told those gathered at the Courtyard Marriott, Port of Spain, which included CEO of One Caribbean Media, Dawn Thomas and CEO of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) Shida Bolai who addressed the gathering, that her disability never discouraged her from doing what she wanted to do.

"It is challenging at times, especially when some people only see my disability," Ince said, adding that "the stares of pity can cause me to think at times".

She said thoughts of giving up have crossed her mind but she overcame these obstacles and advised those who are differently abled not to "give up, when on the brink of doing so".

"You can do it, 'cause there is a God. When you fall, get back up again and believe in yourself, always keep striving for what you want and know that you can achieve it,"Ince said.

Stating she felt honoured and blessed by the award, Ince said she felt "nervous and excited" when told that reigning Road March and Soca Monarch Machel Montano and sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste who was named Best Female Athlete of the Year at the Ministry of Sport Spirit of Sports awards were contenders for the award.

"When I heard that, I was like, Lord if this is your will, let it be done, cause without you I am nothing," Ince said.

Adding that people needed to practise loving their neighbour as they would themselves, Ince said with prayer everything is possible.

Awardees were each presented with a plaque and a $10,000 cheque. Votes were tabulated via text messaging which was overseen by an Express editorial committee.

Also receiving awards were ten-year-old Anna King—Youth of the Year—for her mastering five musical instruments which included the pan,piano and violin.

King is also a budding writer and will launch her book "Run, Run, Run" at the National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) in Port of Spain later this year. The book will target kindergarten children, with some of the sales proceeds being donated to the Children's Life Fund.

Receiving the Award for Youth Group of the Year was the Chinapoo Police Youth Club.

The club's President Elroy Burge said he felt honoured at the achievement.

In his remarks, Burge said there are currently over 150 youth groups in the country and it was a privilege to have been chosen. Thanking Major Cheryl Richardson, as well as Giselle Laronde-West and Sandra Awai of Angostura, Burge said his organisation is geared at keeping youths away from crime and drugs.

"I have a message for those in the Laventille and Morvant community who have been successful and moved out the areas, if you have left and not turned back to help, you have failed. "If you are still there and not lifting a finger to help, then you have failed. There is a lost generation out there and if we do not find them , they will find us," Burge said.

The award for Community Group of the Year went to the T&T Blind and Visually Impaired Cricket Team. Moosai Andrews accepted the award on behalf of the team.

The Trinidad Express Individual of the Year Awards is held annually in a bid to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the development of society and to also highlight people who are role models.

Previous awardees include Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, former prime ministers Basdeo Panday and Patrick Manning, as well as attorney Veera Bhajan and sport icons Hasely Crawford and Brian Lara.