NLIS 6
March 24, 2003
(Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education)

 

Newfoundland and Labrador Youth of the Year recipients announced

Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education Minister Anna Thistle in conjunction with Futures In Newfoundland and Labrador�s Youth (FINALY!) and Memorial University of Newfoundland, today announced the winners of the second annual Newfoundland and Labrador Youth of the Year Awards.

These awards, which provide a $500 scholarship to each of the winners, were established to recognize the outstanding achievements of youth ages 15 to 30, who contribute to the social and economic development of our province. The awards were presented in five categories: Expression (artistic endeavors), Innovation (initiative and innovation), Vision (outstanding leadership skills), Linkages (achievements in partnership) and Legacy (preservation of heritage).

"The contribution of young people in the social and economic development of our province is substantial," said Minister Thistle. "These awards recognize the pursuits of young people and the vision they share for the prosperity and future growth."

"The Department of Career Development and Experimental Learning of the Student Affairs and Services Division of Memorial University is proud to have partnered in the Youth of the Year Awards program," said Rob Shea, director. "This is a wonderful program that celebrates and recognizes the leadership of young people who are giving back to our province in a very tangible way."

According to Sarah Mills, FINALY!�s chairperson, "our aim is to empower youth to be active participants in decision-making and implementation of policies and programs that help shape the social and economic framework of our province. These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of these young people."

Category                Winner                        Home Community
Expression              Olivia Heaney                Mount Pearl
Innovation                Niraj Shukla                  St. John�s
Heritage                  Jay McGrath                 Branch
Linkages                 Lisa Saunders               Bay Bulls
Vision                     Amy Parsons                Twillingate

BIOGRAPHIES

EXPRESSION
Olivia Heaney
, 16, of Mount Pearl, has volunteered with groups and organizations tackling issues as diverse as school bullying, crime prevention, cancer research and animal abuse. She is an active volunteer with the Mount Pearl Community Policing, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Youth Leader for Citizen�s Crime Prevention, Youth Marketing representative for Edge Magazine and Chair of the Kids Help Phone Student Ambassador Council. She has used her gifts for music and speech performance at a number of events, fundraising and increasing awareness of issues that concern her and ensured that the youth voice is shared with others.

Olivia has been the recipient of a wide range of awards and certificates for her musical abilities and the promotion of youth involvement and awareness of the issues they face.

INNOVATION
In 2001, Niraj Shukla, 17, of St. John�s, realized that under-age substance abuse was an issue in his community and began working to create the St. John�s Safe Homes Program, sharing information with junior high students and assisting them in saying no to peer pressure. This program, used in junior high schools throughout St. John�s, has gained the attention and support of a wide range of groups, including a number of levels of government, community organizations, the Avalon East School Board and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

Niraj was also instrumental in bringing partners together to create Students for Other Students Tutoring (SOS), a free tutoring program for students who were already involved in an elementary program but did not have access to the same services in junior high.

In addition, Niraj serves as a member of the Provincial Youth Advisory Committee and the St. John�s Community Youth Network Youth Advisory Board.

HERITAGE
Jay McGrath
, 19, of Branch, believes strongly in the value of his heritage. Becoming involved with Historica�s Heritage Fair program five years ago, Jay has continued to expand his involvement and dedication to preserving and promoting the heritage of his community. He volunteers with the Alumni Programme, co-ordinating and supporting students in developing their own heritage projects as well as acting as a key organizer for the Heritage Fairs locally and regionally. Through his involvement, the program has increased each year and is now mandatory in his former high school.

Jay has also influenced the development of a national advisory committee in handling the perceived lack of Canadian content on the Internet. Stating that the Internet is not a tool but a place, he changed the focus of on-going efforts to ensure Canadian culture is maintained and promoted on-line.

In addition, Jay has been active in student council, drama, student leadership conferences and his parish, as well as the Gateway to the Future Youth Council, which promotes youth involvement in social and economic development in his region.

LINKAGES
Lisa Saunders, 20, of Bay Bulls, has been bringing people together on issues of concern for many years. Volunteering with the student council, Students Against Drunk Driving, peer tutoring and counseling, Lisa was very active in student life. She was also a founding member of the Irish Loop Youth Council, which works to involve the youth of the Irish Loop in social and economic development activities. She is a former Chairperson of the FINALY! Provincial Youth Council.

Lisa has been heavily involved in anti-smoking campaigns and was a member of Health Canada�s Youth Advisory Committee on Tobacco Reduction. She has addressed audiences at the provincial and national level on her anti-tobacco efforts and has been a champion for bringing young people to the table in a variety of settings to ensure young people are active in the process to develop stronger and healthier communities.

VISION
Amy Parsons
, 17, of Twillingate, has been tireless in her efforts to support and encourage her peers. As a student council member, peer tutor and member of a number of school committees, she has been active in supporting her fellow students in areas of academics and student life. She has been a strong promoter of youth athletics, coaching CanSkate and participating with a number of school athletic teams.

Amy has also been involved as an Allied Youth Leader, Memorial University Student Ambassador and canvasser for the Cancer and Heart and Stroke Foundations.

Her wide range of volunteer commitments and high skill resulted in her receiving the J.M. Olds Collegiate Citizenship of the Year Award, presented to a student who best personifies academic achievement, leadership, congeniality, spirit and a willingness to help others.

Ministerial Statement 

Media Contacts:

Simone Kielley, Provincial Executive Director, Futures In Newfoundland and Labrador�s Youth � FINALY!,(709) 738-6274
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications,Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education,(709) 729-6573

2003 03 24                                       12:05 p.m.


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