Praise youth and it will prosper

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. So quick we are 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, the Fort Frances Times is 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 district.
Any Ontario resident aged six-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; or
•Good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more than is normally expected of someone their age.
Co-ordinated 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 presented during a ceremony held in the spring, 2008.
Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 28. Forms and further information can be obtained at the Times office, by calling the OCNA at 1-905-639-8720 ext. 228, or online at www.ocna.org
Help us praise those young individuals who make a difference in our community so they will prosper tomorrow.