A TEENAGER who has overcome personal problems to become a "leading light" in her school has been nominated for an award.

Sharnee Molloy helps run the Pingle School council and advises younger pupils.

And teachers say she has come a long way having previously been "confrontational", "dramatic" and "slightly aggressive" before she decided to turn her life around.

The 15-year-old now involves herself in the lives of her classmates and uses her own experiences to help solve their problems.

Her mature outlook and caring nature have led to her being nominated for a Derby Telegraph Community Champions award.

Sharnee, of Swadlincote, said: "I just took a look around me, realised I needed to change and the teachers helped me find the right direction.

"The change happened over a slow period so I didn't realise the difference at first.

"But my grades have gone up, I enjoy school more and I'm doing better all round, which is great.

"To be nominated among so many children at school is amazing and a real shock but I'm really grateful."

Sharnee started Pingle School, in Swadlincote, in 2008 and started turning her life around a year later.

The Year 10 pupil now oversees the school's breakfast club and takes part in the school council, helping pass ideas on to teachers.

She was nominated for the Community Champions awards by Rebecca Venda, the school's pupil support centre manager.

Rebecca said: "Sharnee plays such a vital role for her other classmates and is always concerned with the welfare of the younger pupils.

"If someone is upset or in trouble, she is the first to ask them what is wrong and tries to help them solve their problem.

"Sharnee has become a real role model.

The teenager said: "When other pupils come to me with their problems, I tell them to calm down and take a breath.

"I then get them to tell me what's wrong and you can see the way the weight lifts off their shoulders."

Sharnee, who is working towards her GCSEs, aims to become a lawyer or join the army in the future.

Rebecca said: "She really has blossomed into a very caring young person."

The Derby Telegraph has teamed up with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County Football Club for the Community Champions awards.

On Sunday, May 16, our 14 winners will be invited to a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium.

Nomination forms can be found at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/champions or www.bbc.co.uk/derby.

They are also in some copies of the Derby Telegraph, or they can be collected from BBC Radio Derby in St Helen's Street, Derby, and the Derbyshire Building Society.

When forms are filled out they should be sent to Caroline Jones, Community Champions, Derby Evening Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH by Friday, April 2.