HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-01-03, Page 18410111M.
16-1.4icimew eek Wedivioday, Jason 3, 1$10
Tiverton girl named Junior Citizen of the year
Oakville - Ontario'Junior CiUzens for
, have been aeletted, Ontario Com-
MunitY N yeispapera Aasociation (OCNA)
president Dori Smith announced the 12
award recipients December 8, after they
Were &Oen front 0111000 U9 nominations
submitted, through, the. member
newspapers across the proVinee.
The Oakville based OCNA, whish
represents over 260 community
newspapers in Ontario and the Ner
.thwestern Territories, has honoured (*-
tend's Junior Citizens with an awards
program since 1981 with co-sponsor,
Canadian Airlines International.
Youngsters from 'ages 6 to 18 are
recognized for their courage, ingenuity,
resourcefulness, initiative, leadership, for-:
titude and community service.
The award recipients and their fam,inea
will be guests of Canadian Airlines and
the OCNA at an awards ceremony at the
Hilton International Hotel hi Toronto ofi
Friday, March 9, 1990. The wards will be
presented by Ontario's lieutenant Gover
nor, th,e. Honourable Lincoln Alexander
and each recipient will receive a $200.
cheque, a commemorative plaque, a told
. pin and a family portrait with the Lieute-
nant Governor.
• Mr. Smith praised both the awards .
recipients and all other nominees. "They •
can all be proud of their ac-
complishments," he said. They have pro-
ven they are willing to go that extra
mile, if for no other reason than for their
own personal growth and pride, and it's
a lesson that shouldn't be lost on the rest
of us."
Ontario's 1989 Junior Citizens include:
KERRIE ANN SLESSER, 7, of Tiverton
for tier courageous attitude to life despite
her severe handicap. She has a very rare
disease and in fact is the only Canadian
with Progeria. She handles this disease
with courage, determination and a keen
sense of humour. As a full-time student,
she openly discusses her handicap with
others and puts great effort, into all her
work. She has adapted herself to all
situations and does not succumb to
self-pity.
KURT'S ARNOLD, 11, of Essex for his
brave action in saving the life of his
friend Melissa Erickson, who had slipped
through broken ice into the frigid waters
of a creek. He spread-eagled himself on •
a cracking, wavering ice sheet and slowly
pulled his friend to safety. He wrapped.
his coat around her then ran with her for
help. He had controlled his instinct to
panic and instead took immediate and
courageous action. •
TREVOR BEATTIE, 18, of Kemptville
for his courageous and brave actions
following a tragic motor vehicle accident
which claimed the lives of three people.
He was the first on the scene immediate-
ly following the ,collision between a small
car carrying eight young people and an
oncoming truck. He took control of the
situation, instructing other drivers to call
ambulances, accounting for victims, per-
forming CPR on a young Man, and con-
tinuing to assist the injured until help
arrived.
LANCE BEMIS, 19, of Huntsville wjio,
despite his blindness, has accomplished
high levels of achievements in his com-
munity. He is actively involved in pro-
viding first aid at public functions as a
corporal in the St. Johns 'Ambulance
Brigade. As an Air Cadet he has reach-
ed the rank of sergeant and he is a peer
counsellor for Grade 9 students. He has
been adeader in school and is considered
an ambassador for the blind, educating
sighted persons about blindness.
GEORGINA BLANAS, 19, of Tottenham
for her leadership and commitment of
time and energy in helping to improve
her community. As a member of the
Community Offering Police Support
(COPS) committee she has been involv-
ed in crime prevention and was a mov-
ing force behind the setting up of a much
needed Teen Centre. She organited-ftmd
raising events, work parties and en-
couraged other teens to get involved. She
has volunteered many hours as a super-
visor at the Centre.
CHAD HAMELIN, 12, of Barrie for his
commitment to his Ojibway heritage and
the idea for a permanent meeting place
- a Native Centre in Barrie. With a fun-
draising campaign and physical training,
he organized and ran 65., miles from
Toronto to Barrie. His bard work paid off
and set the example for the rest of his Crystal LANIGNE, 17, of Val Caron for very serious illness. Andrea has Lupus.
Peele- her outstanding community service. As Her aloes bait given her a new insight
ROMA-LYNN KENNEDY, 17, of rhea man of the Youth Awareness Corn- and perspective and her focus now is to
Rockwood for her determination in over- mittee of Action Sudbury, she helps pro- help as many lupus victims as she can
coining her folysical dis' abilities and con- mote awareness of needless injury and and educate people about this disease.
tribudag and becoming a vital part of life death resulting from drunken drivers. She She exemplifies the qualities of courage,
at her high schoolWollowing a car acct.- is devoted to the cause and motivates determination, compassion, humility and
dent, she was hi a coma for 3 months adults and her peers in the c�nxnuwty to enthusiasm
and was given oily a small chance of campaign against drinking and driving._ .
survival. A year later.Roma has beaten -
all odds and despite a number of physical DEBRA SURIKAN„. 18, of Nestleton for
limitations ia now back hi school fuK • ,, JESSICA MacDOHGALL_ _ _, of her quick thinking_ in saving the life of
time, She is amend), practising for her Amherstbrug for her strength in Was* her young hephe* m a near fatal car se -
driving license; • the battle against cancer. As a member cident Realizing that the car would crash,
ERIC 14AROCQUE., 12, of L'Orignal for of a local youth centre she actively en- she undid 'her *seat belt and wrapped
his oda thinking in saving the hoes of couragea other to joth and learn herself around the baby. In doing so, she
heipn4ns
three young brothers and his parents about themaelv . She is a Counsellor in was severely Injured herself After she
when the tinnily home was on fire. Dor- Training other cancer patients to missed three months of school, she
ing the night, the fire broke out and the accept -their lives ' veil/big hosPitalleation . returned to complete her vr despite her
exterior of the house was in Muses when and chemotherapy. She continues to at- ' physical. disabilities He amazingly
Eric woke up. He roused his brothers and tend school as, often as her health allows .. positive attitude has alway been there .
- /.
escorted them safely outside after break... and keeps up her studies. and she Is admired •by all .fier corn-
• • hig a window. Eric's courageous act sav- ANDREA OU-HINGWAN, 16, of Von munity for her brave actin and her
ed a fainilY catastrophe: Mills for her strength in overcoming a determination( to overcome hrinjurIes. ,
Local nominees for Junior Citizen awards
Since 1981, the Ontario Junior Citizen of
...the Year Awards Program has recogniz-
ed young 'people, between the ages of six
and 18, who show initiative, hard work
and mem*, and who reach out to others
and do more than their share. The pro-
gram is a joint project of the Ontario
Commimity Newspapers Association. and T
Canadian Airlines International.
Thisyear 119 nominations were receiv-
ed, from which 12 have been chosen as t
award recipients. Seven local youth were
nominated and although none are reci-
pients of the Junior Citizen Award, "They
can all be proud of their sc-
complishments," as Don Smith, President
of OCNA °said. "They have proven they
are willing to go that extra mile, if for
no other reason than for their own per-
sonal growth and pride, and it's a lesson
othat shouldn't be lost on the rest of us."
=
11.
•
Janine. Helm, 16, daughter of Tom and
Joan Helm
Brent Cameron, 10 year old son of Jack
and Nancy Cameron •
•
•
„.•
1"!,
Amy'Blake, 8 year old daughter of. Greg
and Wilma Blake• 7
•
•
Miami Andrew, 17 year old daughter of
Bill and Suzanne Andrew
Sandra Blackwell, 15, daughter of Robert
and Carol Blackwell
Sarah Brophy, 17, daughter of George
and Lorraine Brophy
. • f,
Heather Priestap, 18, daughter of Gerry
and Mary Lou priestap