Elliott Primary School’s deputy head girl Xe’Azjah Paynter got a happy surprise when she found herself put forward for a Young Citizen Award by classmates and teachers for going the extra mile in school.“You have to show kindness, be nice to your peers and to adults, and show people respect,” explained the ten-year-old of the special recognition, bestowed on the Universal Day of the Child on November 20.Xe’Azjah said that in the school she’s in charge of prefects, and tasked with “helping out the other students”.The awards are presented each year by the Department of Child and Family Services to pupils from each school around the Island — public and private.“I was nervous about going up on stage, but I was happy to get it,” the P6 student added.Said Elliot principal Kimberly Creighton: “The awards are asked of us based on the criteria of being helpful and standing out as a leader, which are all things Xe’Azjah does.”The Devonshire girl also plays football as a defender for the Elliot team, which today takes on West End Primary in the school finals.“I was extremely proud and excited” said mother Lakeisha Simmons after the ceremony in the Hamilton Princess Hotel. “It felt like confirmation that I’m raising my child the right way and she’s headed in the right direction.”As added factor for Xe’Azjah to stand out was her story, about the day her baby sister was born, which was published in Bermuda’s First Children and Teens Anthology by CKC Corporation.“All in all she’s staying pretty active,” Ms Simmons said.