An Inverness teenager with a passion for sport – and singing – is the latest young person to be awarded the prestigious Diamond Leadership hoodie.
Former Millburn Academy pupil, Eva Still – a regular entertainer in the Victorian Market and Market Bar – received the coveted hoodie this week, which represents her amazing achievement of clocking up over 1,000 volunteering hours as part of the High Life Highland Leadership programme.
Now studying Musical Theatre at the Glasgow Academy for Musical Theatre & Arts, Eva (18) was the first Millburn Academy student to attain all the High Life Highland Leadership Awards – Navy, Purple, Green, Red, Silver, Platinum – and now Diamond.
Eva’s dedication to planning and delivering many events and activities across the Millburn Academy sports cluster – as well as supporting High Life Highland’s School Out Summer Activities – made her an invaluable member of the school community.
During her time at Millburn Academy, Eva was a sportscotland Young Ambassador, where she advocated for young people, promoted participation, inspired others, and encouraged involvement in sport. Following this, she went on to become a Young Ambassador Delivery Team Member (2024–25) training and inspiring the next generation of ambassadors.
Eva is also credited with being a key driving force behind Millburn Academy being awarded the Gold School Sport Award in 2025 – a testament to her and to the school’s ongoing commitment to increasing meaningful opportunities in physical education and school sport for young people.
On her journey to the Platinum hoodie, Eva organised a whole‑school dress‑down day, including a bake sale, raising an impressive £476.24 for the Highland Hospice. Having now accumulated over 1,000 hours of volunteering – resulting in the Diamond hoodie – Eva leaves a lasting legacy at Millburn Academy.
Commenting on her experience with the Leadership Programme, Eva said: “I am eternally grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities and experiences I’ve gained through the High Life Highland Leadership Programme. I owe a lot to it for the person it has shaped me into today!”
Darren Reid, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at High Life Highland said: “Many congratulations to Eva on achieving Diamond hoodie status, she is one of a very small group of young people in the Highlands to do so. Eva has been a most inspiring young leader and we wish her all the best for future.”
The Diamond leadership hoodies are generously sponsored by the Highland Learning Academy.
Louise Lemon, Director of HLA said: “We are incredibly proud to sponsor the Diamond Leadership hoodies and to celebrate outstanding young people like Eva. Reaching over 1,000 volunteering hours is a truly remarkable achievement and demonstrates exceptional commitment, resilience and leadership. At Highland Learning Academy, we are passionate about supporting initiatives that empower young people to grow in confidence and make a meaningful difference in their communities. Eva is a fantastic role model and thoroughly deserves this recognition.”
The High Life Highland Leadership Programme is an inclusive and transformative initiative equipping young people with practical leadership, life skills, and confidence with participants awarded coloured hoodies in recognition of their volunteering efforts. They can volunteer in a huge variety of ways – not just in sports – but also in libraries, museums, music, conservation, community projects and so on.
