Heather Latter
Samantha Halliday has accomplished a lot at the young age of seven.
And she recently was acknowledged for her achievements with a nomination for the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards, which recognizes outstanding young people, aged six-17, who are “good kids” making life better for others and doing more than expected of someone their age.
There were 176 nominees in all, with 12 final recipients of the award.
While Halliday wasn’t among the finalists, she was thrilled just to be nominated.
“It’s pretty exciting,” she said last week as she accepted her certificate from Fort Frances Times’ publisher Jim Cumming and Chris Benz, branch manager at TD Canada Trust here.
The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are promoted through the 300-plus member newspapers of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), with the support of corporate sponsors TD Bank Group and Direct Energy.
Halliday was nominated by Diane Clifford, who noted she “has made an enormous impact on the lives of many people.”
“She is a very thoughtful, compassionate child who consistently puts the needs of others ahead of her own—an old soul in a young body, an understanding and empathy way beyond her years of life and living,” Clifford wrote on the nomination form.
“She truly believes that she can change the world, and we need to encourage and empower our young people who demonstrate that kind of passion and desire to ensure our world is a better place for those who follow,” Clifford added.
Some of Halliday’s noted accomplishments include helping to raise $8,000 as part of “Team McNay” for the 2011 “Relay for Life” here, raising $1,400 for the Terry Fox Foundation last September, and donating toys and books to others through the church’s mission and outreach ministry.
“People in the community are encouraged and inspired by this [seven-year-old] girl, who believes there aren’t any limits to what you can do [or] what you can be,” Clifford stressed.
“One of her attributes is her passionate heart and desire to give of herself and material things to others rather than to receive,” echoed Erma Armit in support of Clifford’s nomination of Halliday.
“We’re very proud of her,” enthused Halliday’s mom, Sandra McNay.
She expects her daughter to continue helping others in any way that she can so that she will make a difference in the world.
