Nominations are now open for this year’s awards ceremony and an online submission form via optimistclubofcornwall.org is available.

The Club will streamline the process and make it easier for members of the community to nominate deserving youth.

“This is truly my favourite event of the year,” says Optimist Club of Cornwall Past President Terry Muir. “Our members also look forward to it, and we fundraise throughout the year for prizes. The Optimist Club is all about serving youth in our community, and what better way than to recognize those making a difference in our community?”

“This means so much to the youths that we recognize,” says YourTV Producer Gabriel Riviere-Reid. “What surprised me last year is, yes the kids were excited about the tablet, but many were even more thrilled with the certificates from the MP and MPP. These are often kids who aren’t getting these sorts of honours and fan-fare on a regular basis.”

Nominations can be made in three categories and four grade levels: At My Best , Giving Back, and Kindness is Cool – Grades 4 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12.

Anyone in the community can submit a nomination. Nominees must reside in Cornwall, South Stormont, or South Glengarry. The submission deadline is May 6th.

Award Descriptions

Kindness Is Cool – Nominees will have performed a service or act of kindness, acts of heroism, support or encouragement of a friend, family, neighbour, or stranger with no personal gain for themselves. This could be ongoing or a onetime service to an individual, group or community.

At My Best – Nominees will have achieved a level of performance beyond what might have been expected. Achieving a top performance overall or performance to the best of their ability. This can be in any area including academics, athletics, music, art, writing, and drama.

Giving Back – Volunteers are the lifeblood of many non-profit organizations and fundraising efforts. Nominees will have given back to their community by volunteering their time for a cause in an exceptional manner or being a key driver in a fundraising campaign. Causes can be but are not limited to:

• ENVIRONMENTAL (addressing environmental issues, pollution, carbon footprint awareness)
• INCLUSIVITY (supporting disabilities of all kinds, creating inclusive environments – ex: mental and physical health, LGBQT, Reconciliation, Black Lives Matter, all other races and religions etc.)
• SUPPORTING A CAUSE (Bullying, Racism, Homelessness, etc.)
• INNOVATION
• SOCIAL ISSUES

Selection process

A Selection Committee consisting of community leaders will review each nomination and select the recipients. All decisions made by the Selection Committee are final. Submissions will not be accepted after the nomination deadline. Information gathered through the nomination process will be used to: develop a profile of each nominee, celebrate the nominees, and promote the event.

Recognition process

Recipients and their nominators will be notified in writing and invited to attend the televised awards ceremony. Tentative date, Saturday, June 9th, 2022, at The Optimist Club, 301 Sunnyside Ave, time to be determined. Nominators, nominees and their families will receive complimentary tickets to attend a pre-show reception.