A local youth is among those selected for recognition in the Rural Ontario Institute’s first Youth Engagement Showcase.
Across the province, rural communities nominated nearly 50 local engaged youth for recognition.
Megan Raftis of Harriston Eric Duncan of Winchester, Emily Morrison of Beaverton, and Branden Trochymchuck of Thunder Bay have been selected as the four showcase finalists, the institute announced Jan. 12.
Raftis was nominated for her role in organizing a theatre program for youth in her community.
“Communities need engaged youth to succeed and we are proud to recognize these individuals and share their stories,” stated Norman Ragetlie, the institutes’s director of policy and stakeholder engagement. “From establishing community programs to getting involved in municipal politics, the finalists are already leaders in their communities and represent the future of rural Ontario.”
The four finalists will be profiled through individual video documentaries filmed in their respective hometowns. These documentaries will highlight individual involvements and accomplishments as well as programs and organizations that are successfully engaging youth in their local communities. Filming will begin in late January 2016.
A panel of judges comprised of Youth Engagement Showcase advisory committee members evaluated each nomination and selected the finalists, noting all nominees should be proud of their accomplishments and represent their communities well.
Special mentions have been awarded to eight nominees: Cassandra Chornoboy of Rockwood, Tate Driscoll of Moorefield, Alison Vasey of Mount Forest, Ashton Lawrence of Ayton, Alycia Bannon of Melancthon, Noor Cheema of Simcoe and Alex Halonen of Schreiber.
Finalists and nominees will be featured on the Rural Ontario Institute blog in the coming months at www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca.
The Youth Engagement Showcase will profile compelling stories of young leaders tackling important local issues, highlight the impact youth can have in their communities and demonstrate how different types of rural communities can successfully involve youth in addressing local challenges, officials state.
The Rural Ontario Institute is a non-profit organization committed to developing leaders, initiating dialogue, supporting collaboration and promoting action on issues and opportunities facing rural Ontario.
