YCLA reveals 2013 finalists vying for annual gong
(CNS): Michael Blackburn, Marzeta Bodden, Victor Crumbley, Melanie Scott and Shomari Scott are the five finalists who will be chasing the title of Young Caymanian Leader this year. Now in its 14th year, the nominees for the annual award were announced by Jonathan Tibbetts, the 2006 YCLA recipient recently. The winner will be crowned in March at the televised awards ceremony at a black tie gala at The Ritz-Carlton. The evening and weeks leading up to the event focus heavily on the leadership and accomplishments of candidates, who were selected from a large group of what the organisers said were impressive nominations .
“The YCLA selection committee was presented with an almost insurmountable task; a task to identify five finalists out of so many suitable candidates who embody the mantra of the Young Caymanian Leadership Award. The five finalists are certainly upstanding young leaders in our communities and they hail from all throughout the islands,” said Jonathan Tibbetts, Chairman of the Nomination Sub Committee.
“The decision process was approached with great care and attention to detail. The members spent much time reviewing, confirming and questioning the submissions. The five finalists were selected for their dedication to growing our island and young people; their discipline in their careers and volunteerism; and their desire to change the islands for generations to come.”
The event takes place on Saturday 23 March.
Category: Local News
Surely there must be a better way to celebrate young leaders than by this pompous, inflated, "let's parade them to the $400 a plate crowd adn then pat ourselves in the back" group. If we were truly interested in honouring the YOUNG PEOPLE this isnt how we'd go about it. All this show is really for the big $$$ that is behind it to feel better about the fact that at the end of the day theirs, Big $, is a lackluster support of our Islands young people and to offset that reality they must hide behind the work of the youth that actually cares and does, with or without the acknowledgment.
There is so much pressure to accept these nominations, from employers and others hoping to benefit from the media attention, that it makes it difficult to turn it down… Wonder if anyone ever has.
Lots of people have because they want to maintain their privacy. No need to be so negative about something positive.
It would be interesting to know what past recipients of this award are doing now
Look at the story above this one… I believe Mr. Connolly was a finalist or recipient in the past.
No disrespect to the nominees, but in this day and age these type of awards are irrelevant. The country is full of people to look to as examples, both good and bad!!!
Physical fitness is apparently not a criterion. These guys would make poor role models for Cayman youth, especially given the type 2 diabetes problem on the island.
So apparently you're their doctor and know what their health report says?
How ignorant can a person be?
I have a family member that is a teenager and has diabetes… they weigh 90lbs… but you could look at them and tell that they have diabetes? Really not a smart comment.
Even if the money money wasted on this event is from private donors it could be better spent on so many more deserving programs.
How about we have them donate $57,000 each to take care of an inmate at Northward for a year, right?
I really think people should just start celebrating good young leaders who are working with youth instead of thinking of themselves.
How about we start an award for people who hate positive publicity?
Can you smell the sarcasm? (I laid it on pretty thick).
Is it your place to tell others how they should spend their money? Tell us how you spend yours and we can tell you if you are doing it properly or not!
who?
Cares
What is the purpose of this award? besides to have a seated plate dinner each year?
Does YCLA support community initiatives? Where does the money go?
Go, Michael! Aa exceptional young man. Michael lives his faith in Jesus Christ and shares this faith in working with young children and adolescents.
Why?
And how much will this cost the public purse.
Probably a whole lot less the the former Premier's travels.
And on a positive note… these are young people who are doing good things.
Let's celebrate our people.
Again. Why?
If I read the above comment properly, it states….
These young people are doing good things… that would be the why that you can't seem to understand.
Probably nothing. Never has.