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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-01-06, Page 21Page 20 Times -Advocate, January 6, 1993 C QM MJ JN1TY .,. OCNA announces recipients of Ontailo Junior Citizen of the Year Awards for 1992 OAKVILLE - Ontario's Junior Citizens for 1992 have been select- ed. Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) President Lorne Eedy announced the 12 indi- viduals and one group award recip- ients December 11 after they were chosen from among 114 nomina- tions submitted through OCNA member newspapers across the province. The Oakville -based OCNA, which represents more than 271 community newspapers in Ontario and the Northwest Territories, has honoured Ontario's Junior Citizens since 1981 with Bell Canada as co- sponsor for 1992. Young people from ages six to 18 are recognized for their courage, ingenuity, re- sourcefulness, initiative, leadership, fortitude and community service. The award recipients and their families will be guests of Bell Can- ada and OCNA at an awards cere- mony at the Toronto Airport Maui- ' :ott Hotel, on Friday, April 2, 1993. -The awards will be presented by Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Hal Jackman and each recipient will receive, a $200 cheque, a commemorative plaque, a gold lapel pin and a family portrait with the Lieutenant Governor. Eedy praised both the awards re- cipients and all other nominees. "People should be recognized for doing the right things early in life. The courage and initiative these young people have shown proves they are willing to go .that extra mile. It's,a lesson we all can learn from." Ontario's 1992 Junior Citizens are: • Missy Little, 18, of St. Marys, ' for the courage and fortitude she shows in living with diastrophic dwarfism, which has confined her to a wheelchair. She has never let her handicap stand in the way of her goals, which include a career in graphic arts. She participates in school fundraising, Brownies, the school band .and other activities with determination and good hu- mour. • Laura Fisher, 10, of Alvinston, for her courage and strength in the face of cancer. In spite of ongoing chemotherapy to control brain and. spinal tumours, she remains active in Girl Guides, cancer fundraisers and Camp Trillium. Her kind dispo- --"-sitiori and selflessness am inspiring to all who know her. • Chandra Hunter, 18 of Whitby, for ongoing community service. She promotes multiculturalism and national unity through a youth com- mittee she founded. Her teen out- reach program provides local youth with activity nights, peer counsel- ling and teaches community aware- ness. Chandra's many contributions in her community has proven inval- uable. • Tuvia Borok, 14 of Richmond Hill, for his leadership and initia- tive in creating activities for young children in his neighbourhood. He publishes a youth newspaper and leads a theatrical group. He also holds movie nights and crafts nights for local youngsters. Tuvia gives freely of his time and is a val- uable asset to his community. • Ronald Kirkland, 12 of Kitchen- er, for his enthusiasm, optimism and cheerfulness in spite of cere- bral palsy. He accepts all physical and academic challenges willingly and, as the 1991/92 Easter Seal Timmy, he raises funds and speaks to theme public about disabilities. Ronnie's consistent display of cou- rage and integrity is a positive ex- ample to others. • Jessi-ann Irvine, 12 of Rifiteiv way, for disregarding her own safe- ' ty to save the life of a friend who had fallen into deep, icy water. She was able to pull the young boy to safety and keep him warm until help arrived. Her quick thinking was instrumental in saving the child's life. • Jay Poitras, 15, of Stoney Creek, for outstanding community service. As a significant member of the Canadian Cancer Society since the age of three, he has lent his spe- cial talents to fundraising and com- forting cancer patients. He is also a welcome visitor at a local nursing home. Jay's community involve- ment shows his concern and care for others. • Tommy Hass, 17, of Eganville, for his courage during a vicious 'dog Attack. Tommy risked his own safety to ward off two dogs that se- verely injured his friend. If not for his intervention, the five-minute onslaught :night have been fatal. - • Allain Lauzon, 17, of Timmins, for preventing a potential disaster on a school bus. When the driver lost consciousness, Allain grabbed the wheel and steered the fast- moving bus away from bushes and large rocks. His quick actions avert- ed a near tragedy for 22 students. • Jessica Manley, 16 of Kingston, for her leadership skills and com- munity involvement. She is presi- dent of her school chapter of Am- nesty International, raises funds for the United Way, and started a self- help group for teenagers with epi- lepsy. The depth of her commit- ment continues to make a differ- ence for others in her community. - • Jinene Iversen, 17, of Cope - town, for her positive attitude in dealing with a rare disease that stunts her growth, resulting in une- Letter to Editor Nursing graduate says "thank you" To the Editor When we think of Christmas in Canada, we always think of snow. In February of 1973 little did '1 know, I was to become one of Ex- eter hospital's last graduating class of "nursing assis.tants". After be- ing raised on a dobby farm in St. Marys, Ontario, 1 remember Christmas 1972, as being accept- ed as a student at South . Huron Hospital, because I was already homesick for family and friends, with a long hard year ahead of me. The day I drove to Exeter, was one I will always remem- ber, there was a lot of snow, and in October of 1973 I gradu- ated along With my class. Mrs. Marjorie Del - bridge and Mrs. Horton werc our instructors and friends. They both had taught me so very much, and saying goodbye to class mates and friends, was not easy. Dr. Gans,. said at our graduation, "we would certainly be remembered." In 1983 October we came back for our ten year reunion, with the hard work of Kathy Hayter of Dashwood and Donna Hoffman of Dashwood. Most of us now have families, and values from our days as stu- dents arc still with us. As for my- self Exeter is a very special town, with very special people, and after nearly twenty years, I would like to say thank you, for every year I come back, it is lith many kind memories. W Jacqui Kelly (nee Weston) 298 Nelson St. Stratford, Ont. NSA 2K3 Letter to Editu Meader points out errors in poen*/) Dear Editor: Thank you very much for in- cluding my poem in your newspa- per on December 23 but you have made a couple of errors like Le Lere Noel should be Le Pere Noel. And the other one was Prances. It should be Prancer. Please refer to page 27. Thank you. .fippn..eohill. l-Iensal l ven bone development. Despite the pain she suffers, her bravery and good spirits has had a profound ef- fect on her community, bringing everyone together to cheer her on. • Donny Aiken, 15, of Red Lake, for his heroism during a late-night skidoo accident. The skidoo plunged through thin ice, trapping his friend underneath the machine in nine feet of water. Donny kept diving until he was able to pull the young lady free. His act of bravery certainly saved his friend's life. • Thessalon Public School for their "Pennies for Cancer" project. During the course of raising one million pennies for research, the children were made aware of how cancer affects all of us. The worth- while endeavor brought the entire community together, providing fun and satisfaction for everyone in- volved. Countdown to a stroke -ire flfe CLINTON - Are you one of the many people who vowed on New Year's Eve to quit smoking, only to wake up New Year's Day wondering how you could possibly follow through on your resolution? Have you struggled this month as you've battled your addic- tion, only to find yourself still reaching for those cigarettes? The Lung Association's Countdown pro- gram can help you kick the habit and remain a non- smoker. An evaluation done jointly the The Lung Associa- tion and The Research Foundation proved that the Countdown program offers one of the most effec- tive ways to quit smoking. If you are like most smokers, you have tried to quit at least once before. The reasons for failure are varied. Some people are unprepared for possible withdrawal symptoms. Others are able to get through the initial quitting period successfully, only to find they are unable to find other methods of cop- ing in situations where the temptation to smoke is strong. Knowing what to expect when you quit and how to handle those difficult situations is necessary tolie successful in quitting snioidng iind coritintling life as a non-smoker. Countdown helps you to understand your habit, prepares you for possible reactions during the quit- ting process and teaches you alternate methods of coping. Countdown is really two programs in one: a group program and a self-help program. For many smokers, quitting is a challenge which can be met with less anxiety in a group setting. Your fellow members can provide support and encouragement as you work together to achieve the goal of !becoming non-smokers. The program also includes a self-help manual to help course members carry on! the quit- ting process between Countdown sessions.1The pro- gram consists of seven one and a half how\ sessions over five weeks. Over 35,000 Canadians die each year from smok- ing related illnesses. Don't be a statistic! The Lung Association is offering a Countdown program to start on Tuesday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton. Cost is $95. Pre- registration is required and enrolment is li ited. Register by calling The Lung Association (clect) at 271-7500 and finally make that New Year's reso- lution come true!