Ontario’s community Newspapers are looking for stories in about good kids in communities across the province.
Everyone knows a young person who is doing some extraordinary things that benefit a family, school, or the community in general.
Those young people should be nominated for an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award. That program strives not only to recognize the dozen or so outstanding young people each year who will be the recipients of awards, but also to give deserving recognition in their own communities to hundreds of others who represent “good kids.”
To achieve that goal, everyone nominated receives a certificate of congratulations.
The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year program has recognized the best of Ontario’s youth since 1981. Co-ordinated by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association with the support of its sponsors.
Any resident of Ontario, aged 6 to 17 years, is eligible to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award, and groups or individuals may be nominated.
Individuals may be nominated in four categories:
– may be involved in worthwhile community service;
– special young people who are contributing while living with a physical or psychological limitation;
– individuals who have performed acts of heroism or bravery in the past year; and
– good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more than is normally expected of someone their age.
A committee of community Newspaper publishers, editors, and sponsors will select the award recipients from all nominations received.
Up to 12 individuals and one group will be recipients of an award. Recipients and their families are invited to attend the awards ceremony in the spring. All nominees receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishments from their local community Newspaper.
Nominations may come from anyone in the community who wants to recognize a young person’s contributions. Parents or guardians must sign a release on the initial nomination form.
Nominations should document the activities of the nominee with letters, Newspaper clippings, and recommendations. Each nomination must have at least two Supporting Nomination Forms attached. Contact this Newspaper to locate News articles, if applicable.
Nominations are accepted up to Nov. 30. The ceremony will take place next spring.
Nominees from previous years who continue their noteworthy endeavours are eligible to be nominated again.
To obtain a copy of the nomination form go to www.ocna.org, or email jr.citizen@ocna.org, or drop by your community Newspaper office, or contact the Ontario Community Newspapers Association at 103 – 3050 Harvester Road, Burlington, ON L7N 3J1, or telephone 905-639-8720.
