Keke Palmer shines in a cute one-shouldered mini-checked French Connection dress as she arrives at Variety‘s 2009 Power of Youth event held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon (December 5).

The 16-year-old True Jackson VP actress told the crowd when she took the stage to receive her award that she was so nervous she had to write all of her speech down before hand.

In a moment of her nerves getting to her, almost dropped her award! But no worries — Keke delivered her speech about the Boys and Girls Club of America beautifully.

Good pal Elijah Kelley was even spotted in the audience supporting Keke.

15+ pics inside of Keke Palmer…