Praise youth and it will prosper

Submissions being accepted for the Junior Citizen of the Year Awards
There’s an old Irish proverb that says: “Praise youth and it will prosper.”

So often the accomplishments and good deeds young individuals perform are  overlooked and under acknowledged. We are so quick to dismiss the young as frivolous.

The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are here to ensure young people  are recognized for their contributions. This recognition can help kids realize they are making a difference in their community, and, by celebrating it we might inspire a lifetime commitment to community service.

As your local newspaper, we are proud to offer the 2007 Junior Citizen of the  Year Award so we can recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of young people in our community.

Any Ontario resident aged 6-17 is eligible to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of  the Year Award. Please help us by nominating an individual in one of four categories:

• A person involved in worthwhile community service.
• A special young person contributing to their community while living with a
physical or psychological limitation.
• An individual who has performed an act of heroism in the past year.
• Good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more
than is normally expected of someone their age.

Coordinated by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and supported  by TD Canada Trust, this program recognizes all young people nominated for the  award—each nominee will receive a certificate of recognition from their community newspaper.

Up to 12 of the nominees and one group will be chosen as the final recipients of  the Award—a plaque citing their accomplishments, a Junior Citizen lapel pin, and a cash gift—which will be given during a ceremony held in the spring, 2008.

Nominations will be accepted until December 28, 2007. Forms and further  information can be obtained at our office, online at www.ocna.org, or by calling OCNA at 905-639-8720 ext. 228.

Help us praise those young individuals who make a difference in our community  so they will prosper tomorrow.