Do you know an outstanding young person between the ages of 18 and 40 who you think deserves recognition for their achievements? Junior Chamber International (JCI ) Mayo, in association with the Mayo Advertiser and AIB, is running a competition to identify those in the community who have done something remarkable. Nominations to identify these outstanding young people in Mayo are now being sought from the public.
The Outstanding Young People of the year competition is a drive to identify young people for their dynamism and enthusiasm in their fields. There will be a local awards ceremony at which winners will receive a commemorative trophy, and be recognised by their peers. After the local awards, the Mayo winners may go on to be recognised nationally, and possibly internationally, for their achievements.
Every year, Junior Chamber International selects 10 outstanding young people under 40 to be recognised for living the JCI Mission in extraordinary ways. In 2012 a Mayo winner took one of the top awards on the world stage. Aisling Neary was named as a 2012 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Person of the World for her extraordinary work in international healthcare and education for the underprivileged.
Ms Neary commented: “Having been a previous recipient of the TOYP Award, it was an amazing opportunity to represent Ireland as one of the top outstanding young persons of the world. For me the joy of being nominated for a TOYP award was not about recognition of good work being done by so many people, but that it is a visual reminder of the fact that each tiny drop of kindness being done can result in a flood of hope and life for those less fortunate than others. These awards encourage people to realise that they can make a positive change in peoples lives and for that reason I am very grateful to JCI.”
If you know someone who can follow in Aisling Neary’s footsteps, there are 10 categories under which nominations can be made, relating to the fields of business, politics, academic achievements, culture, moral/environmental leadership, contribution to children/world peace/human rights, humanitarian/voluntary leadership, scientific/technological development, personal improvement/accomplishment, and medical innovation. This competition is free to enter. Members of the public are now invited to take some time to show someone you admire that you respect what he/she does and believe his/her contribution should be recognised.
Keira Keogh, president of JCI Mayo, added: “There are outstanding young people based in Mayo, and with 11 local winners, four national winners, and one world winner, we just need to shine a light and let them be seen.”
According to the JCI, highlighting the accomplishments of young active citizens will inspire others to be better and realise their full potential as active citizens.
Send in your nominations now by filling in the online form on www.jcimayo.ie, email them on [email protected]. Make sure you check out JCI Mayo on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+ Entries close Friday, March 27 at 5pm.
