55 Young People Recognized at Youth Achievement Awards
COMMUNITY SERVICES--55 Young People Recognized at Youth Achievement Awards
"Dare to be Remarkable." That's the challenge written on a place card at the Nova Scotia Council for the Family's youth achievement awards ceremony. The applause is long and loud as each young person steps forward to receive an award for meeting that challenge.
In all, 55 recipients from across Nova Scotia are being recognized on this afternoon for their contributions to their community, school, and peers. Each award winner has been nominated by someone close to them, someone who has recognized their abilities and achievements.
The winners are a diverse group, with a wide range of interests and talents. The one thing they have in common is that they are in the care of the Minister of Community Services and are being raised by people other than their birth families.
"Our winners have not been brought up in traditional families and may have missed out on some of the typical recognition most children receive," says Yvonne Blanchard, executive director of the council. "These awards bring together the range of people who have played a part in the young person's life, and provide an opportunity for us to celebrate the big and small successes of our young people."
The event emcees are previous award winners. One is currently enroled in the Nova Scotia Community College Early Childhood Education Program and the other is attending Dalhousie University on full scholarship. Each time they announce an award winner, they highlight the winner's accomplishments -- volunteering at the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, high academic achievement, advocacy for African Canadian heritage, volunteering with children, athletic achievement, for example. Recipients include a youth group president, student council president, peer counselor and captain of the hockey team.
Most of the award recipients are getting ready to graduate from high school, so their future plans are also highlighted. In the room is Nova Scotia's next generation of pilots, mechanical engineers, plumbers, fashion designers, social workers, early childhood educators, and physiotherapists, to name just a few of the professions mentioned.
The audience is full of birth families, foster families, social workers, children's aid staff and others who are playing a part in helping these young people reach their goals. Many approach the stage with pride to take pictures, while the award recipients shift uncomfortably like most teens. There are many hugs and a few tears.
Some winners take the opportunity to address the audience -- to share their thoughts on receiving the award and on being a young person in care. Some are nervous and shy, while others show composure beyond their years. Like any awards event, they take the opportunity to thank those who helped them get there.
Many also recognize the other winners: "Everyone in this room is living proof that no matter how hard things get, you just have to keep your head up, stay strong and believe in yourself," says one.
Several of the people who nominated the winners called their nominee a "source a pride."
The achievements and bright futures celebrated at this event are evidence that all Nova Scotians can be proud to have these young people in our communities.
For more information on the Nova Scotia Council for the Family call 902-422-1316 or e-mail nscf@gov.ns.ca .