Authorized by the Brampton Guardian
Six Brampton nominees for Ontario Junior Citizen
Thursday January 29 2009By ASHLEY GOODFELLOW
Brampton has some exemplary specimens in its population of young people; this year, six of the 117 nominees for the 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are from the city.
The annual award, which is run through the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA), highlights a handful of young leaders that have an impact in their communities and across the globe,
Nominees have displayed determination to meet challenges head on, have inspired others to follow their lead and have donated their time and efforts into making the world a better place for everyone. They demonstrate strong leadership skills and are committed to their community.
All nominees will be recognized with a certificate. This year's nominees hailing from Brampton are:
- Sarabjot Anand, 16
Anand was nominated for his involvement in community service. An energetic and enthusiastic young man, with much academic success, he has demonstrated leadership, team spirit, initiative and creativity. He has volunteered for a number of organizations and to date has accumulated over 800 volunteer hours. He is the Flight Sergeant in 758 Argus Squadron Air Cadets, and is an active volunteer with the EnergySmart Program and sits on the executive youth council as vice president. He has been a key organizer in the TD Shoreline Cleanup campaign. In his spare time, he collects and refurbishes computers for the Share IT program.
- Guneet Brar, 17
Brar was nominated for her involvement in community service. She is described as a stand-out individual who balances community work with her duties at school and home. She has been involved on the Brampton Teen Library Council, where only 15 students are selected to advise the library on teen issues and concerns. She is an active volunteer at William Osler Health Centre, where she had rotated through several different areas including feeding patients and raising funds for the Brampton Civic Hospital. She also gives her time at Tall Pines Long Term Centre every Sunday, and at her temple, she assist in the kitchen. In her free time, she learned how to knit hats and donated them to the Hospital for Sick Kids.
- Blake Duffy, 13
Duffy was nominated for being a youth who does more than expected of his age. His is said to display maturity far beyond his tender years and has a generous heart. He annually donates to the local Family Resource Centre, and for the past seven years has been involved in the Wallis for Wellness charity campaign. He has also participated in fundraising events at the Brampton Civic Hospital, and organized the Spirit Sprint for MS in July 2008. As well as participating in other charity causes, Duffy has also been recognized as the MVP on his hockey team for two consecutive years.
- Sherona Goulden, 16
Goulden was nominated for being a youth who does more than expected of her age. She is hardworking and focused, and has spent over 300 volunteer hours in her school and community. She has attended the Secondary Schools' United Nations Symposium, as well as the taken an eight-week Toastmasters Youth Leadership program. Her involvement in the community is widespread, with time spent n the Mayor's Youth Team, the Rotary Club of Brampton, the Teen Library Council and many more. She has been involved in community events, including the Farmers' Market and the opening of two recreation centres.
- Tanya Mpala, 17
Mpala was nominated for her involvement in community service. She is noted as an outstanding young leader particularly with her former school Birchmount Park Collegiate and her current school Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School. She has dedicated time to many church, school and community projects including teaching Sunday school and coordinating events at Christian Life Centre. During summers, she designs and coordinates programs for a summer camp. She's also been involved in food drives, a homework program and she currently serve as the vice president of the Fletchers' Meadow Inspirational Young Achievers Club, among many other things.
- St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Youth Group
This group of young people were nominated for being involved in community service and for representing youth who do more than expected at their age. The group was involved in the Canadian outreach program targeted for First Nations Peoples that are survivors of the residential schooling scandal. The inner-city outreach allowed for individuals to stay in a safe, alcohol and drug-free environment with their own apartment for up to three years in order to get their lives and education together. Prior to the trip, the youth group was involved in many fundraising events to support the mission.
Finalists will be announced in coming weeks, and the awards ceremony on March 3 at Queen's Park will be officiated by Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are run through the 322 member newspapers of OCNA with the support of sponsor TD Canada Trust. Nominations of eligible youth, ages six to 17, are received each fall through member community newspapers committed to recognizing outstanding youth who are making a difference in their communities. A panel of volunteer judges must unanimously decide on the final recipients.
