Myra-Dawn has helped with the Relay for Life for three years and gives a lot of her time to helping others, and constantly puts the needs of others above her own, her nominator Matthew Ahern said.
"The reason I help is because I saw others giving out of love and the power of that made me want to help too," Myra-Dawn said.
The announcement of her daughter's win left mum Kim "gobsmacked".
"It's nice to see the younger generation working in the community and all those kids have done something for our community."
While all seven nominees for this year's award were Dannevirke High School students, Kim said it was great to see so many former Ruahine School students in the line-up.
"At Ruahine the seed was sown and if you keep watering it and don't let it wilt, this is the result."
This year the $1000 prize money was split between three, with Myra-Dawn receiving $500, Kaitlin Edmonds $300 for second, and Cameron Trigg $200 for third.
And for community board members Ross Macdonald and Bob Dresser, former members of the Dannevirke Police, the award is special.
"We both worked with Graeme [Wackrow] and his death was the worst experience of my 30 years in the force," Mr Macdonald said.
Guest speaker at the awards evening was Dannevirke businessman Alan Benbow, the general manager of Metalform.
"Every one of you will develop, grow and learn from this experience," he said.
Mr Benbow also told the students the three attributes to set themselves up for life were attitude, commitment and initiative.
"With these you can achieve pretty much what you want in life and there's a lot of truth in the saying 'the harder you work, the luckier you get'.
"Through your life you've got to make the most of your opportunities, and it's amazing how many times you have to reinvent your life."
Having left school before he was 16, Mr Benbow went to work for Wright Stephenson where, within three years, he had a senior role. He then left to join accounting firm Stone and Co where he spent a few years learning.
"One of my accounts was a sheep-breeding group who were looking to spin their own wool, so a few of us decided to build a spinning plant in Dannevirke.
"We had no money, no expertise and no experience at running a factory. We later became part of the Feltex group and we had six plants, and 600 people reporting to us here in Dannevirke.
"My next reinvention was joining Metalform. I'm not an engineer, but with attitude, commitment and initiative you really can achieve."
Second-placed Kaitlin Edmonds said she had built social and community skills with an extensive contribution to our community, including sharing her love of horses with a young girl who didn't have a horse of her own.
"I gave up my time to teach that little girl and took her to a horse show and did lead-rein classes with her. She won ribbons and her confidence and skills grew immensely, and it gave me great pride."
Cameron Trigg's passion and love of helping people earned the 16-year-old third place.
"It's that passion which drives me to help in the community. I love theatre technology, singing and acting and Dannevirke High School is wonderful with all the opportunities [it] has allowed me to be involved in light, sound and backstage, and there's not one day I go home and sit down before 8pm.
"My parents have taught me it's amazing to help others through the Lions Club."
