The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce named its Youth Citizen-of-the-Year on April 9, and it also announced all the nominees for this year’s Awards of Excellence: Centre Wellington: Working in Concert, which is sponsored by OLG and the chamber.
There was a huge community response this year for candidates.
The Citizen of the Year, Toni Ellis, was announced on April 4.
On April 9, the chamber announced that the Youth Citizen-of-the-Year winner is Amanda Christie.
Centre Wellington District High School principal Karen Welch nominated Christie, who received her award in a ceremony at the school on April 9.
Welch said Christie’s marks range from A to A-plus, and she is an excellent writer.
She earned citizenship awards at her elementary schools, Victoria Terrace and JD Hogarth. At the 2007 high school commencement, she was awarded the John Tindale Scholarship given to a graduating student who has academic success while giving service beyond herself to the school and community for the purpose of helping others.
Welch said Christie is also an excellent public speaker and has won several public speaking contests.
She is a member of Amnesty International and its school based projects, and she helped to organize a fundraiser to support teachers in Afghanistan. She is also active in the school’s music and drama programs and productions, and is a section leader in the choir and has a role in this year’s coming production, Music Man.
Christie has also been on the school’s international trip to Honduras with Missionary Ventures to build playgrounds and support feeding centres. She will be part of the school’s Labrador exchange trip this spring, and has been active in raising funds for Labrador students.
She was also “instrumental in forming the Gay Straight Alliance to build support and understanding for students and staff in the school.”
In the community, Christie has been involved with canvassing and doing a walkathon for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Kidney Foundation.
Welch wrote, “Her mother shared with me that Amanda had open heart surgery when she was a tiny, premature baby at just under two pounds. She said that Amanda had a strong will to live and this strong will has carried her through. Amanda was also the cover girl for Heart and Stroke Magazine.
Welch concluded, “Staff have supported Amanda as an ‘awesome choice’ and a ‘tireless activist.’
“She is a wonderful young woman who does and will do amazing things for her community.”
2008 nominees
The chamber has also announced the nominees for various categories for this year.
The 2008 Awards of Excellence Nominees are:
– Sarah Mersereau (Dreamridge Tack Shop);
– James Russell and Sons Ltd.;
– Grand River Agricultural Society;
– Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games office;
– Dr. Allan Simpson;
– Grinder Productions;
– Hooligans;
– Spencer Linwood and Brian O’Connor (Celtic Youth Basketball Programs);
– Greenlands Centre Wellington;
– Anita Stewart;
– Broderick’s;
– Centre Wellington Food Bank;
– DeBoer’s Farm Equipment;
– Shepherd’s Pub;
– OSCATS;
– Fergus Horticultural Society (Digging in the Dirt);
– Garrett Klassen;
– The Fergus Marketplace;
– LCBO – Elora;
– James Fryett Architects;
– Brian Morrison;
– Grand River Physiotherapy; and
– Flight Support Services of Canada Ltd.
The chamber thanks all of the nominators for their work in putting together the support, letters, and packages for a number of excellent candidates. The adjudicators had their hands full, and a number of interesting debates, in making this year’s decisions.
Successful nominees will take the stage on April 24, at the Sportsplex in Fergus. Tickets are $60 per person, and include dinner, entertainment, and the awards show. For more information, call the chamber at 519-843-5140.
