This initiative aims to recognise and reward teen girls in South Africa for their many talents, and in doing so, kick-start their futures. It's also a great way to inspire other teen girls to make their mark, and as a country that prides itself in the value of its youth it's only natural that we breed future leaders from a young age.

Past winners like TV personality Precious Kofi, paralympic swimmer Shireen Sapiro – who shortly leaves for Beijing to compete in the 2008 Paralympics, and Nike women spokesperson and dancer Amy Rosslind, are all evidence of the calibre of this country's talent.

The 2008 Top Teen Achiever Awards competition is now open and teenage girls between the ages of 13 – 21 can enter in the following five categories:

Next Big Thing: a rising star in acting, dancing, modelling, music or writing.
Miss Independent: girls who have started their own business or are making their own money.
Gold Medallist: the race is on to find the sportiest teen.
Do-gooder: a selfless soul who dedicates her time to helping and empowering others.
Green Queen: eco-warriors serious about saving the planet.

The prizes
R10 000 in a Standard Bank (sum)1 or Student Achiever Account;
A designer dress from Hip Hop to wear at the Top Teen Achiever Awards event;
Faith shoes worth R1 000;
A beauty and skincare hamper from Clinique worth R2 000;
A Girl Inc. underwear hamper worth R1 000;
Von Zipper sunnies worth R1 000;
A Fossil watch;
Designer jewellery by Sandy McCormack;
A year's worth of hair products from Thairapy;
A pair of Guess jeans;
A Billabong summer hamper worth R3 000 and
A year's subscription to seventeen!

The competition culminates in a spectacular event in December, held in honour of the girls who have been chosen in their respective categories, including a Reader's Choice Award as voted for by seventeen readers. The winners as the stars of the night will receive A-list treatment, walking the 'pink' carpet, pampering, press and interviews that comes with being a Top Teen Achiever. As part of the prize, each girl also features in a six-page spread in seventeen's December issue.

To enter
Entrants must submit a motivational letter, CV and high-resolution picture. Entries can be posted, emailed or uploaded on www.seventeen.co.za. For all the competition details and rules go online or check out the July issue of seventeen (on newsstands now). The competition closes on 26 August 2008.