YCLA begins countdown to 2012 award

(CNS): Cayman’s next young leader will be announced next March organisers of the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards (YCLA) revealed this week. Each year the awards have introduced five young leaders who are meant to be inspiring role models for the community. Thirteen years ago, the Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation (YCLF) was established to recognizeand identify these potential leaders and create the YCLA. Nominations for the 2012 YCLA are now closed and the finalists will be announced early in the New Year. “Yet again we have received some outstanding nominations identifying another impressive group of candidates,” said Melissa Wolfe of the YCLF.

One of the ongoing annual initiatives of the Foundation is for the current recipient of the YCLA to reach the younger generation with speaking engagements targeted at the youth.  These presentations have a strong motivational element and always relates back to the presenter and their own personal stories of hurdles and triumphs.

Speaking about her experience during this past year Natalie Urquhart said that the recipients are given the opportunity to inspire others to reach their full potential.
“My own platform has been about using creativity and innovation to excel in this rapidly changing world, encouraging our students to expand their mindset, choose new career streams and to not be afraid to follow their hearts,” she said.

Natalie began presenting only days after the 2011 YCLA in May, delivering motivational speeches in public and private schools addressing students between the ages of 5 – 18 and she is still carrying on with engagements and community outreach.

“The speechesare powerful because they are presented in the first person.  Each year, the YCLA recipient shares their own personal stories, making it much easier for the youth to identify with them”, explained Melissa Wolfe of YCLF. “Every year we have a new recipient with a unique and motivating message, but overall the core message is about stimulating positive change in our youth”.

The annual Awards Show on Saturday 3 March will be televised live on Cayman27. The event has consistently filled the entire ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton with Cayman’s top business professionals and community leaders. The 60 minute live broadcast will feature videos of the five finalists for the 2012 YCLA.

For more information contact Melissa Wolfe from the Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation at ycla@candw.ky