The Youth Services Unit (YSU) is calling for members of the public to submit nominations for the 2025 Proud of Them Youth Recognition Awards. Exceptional youth aged 10 to 25 years old, can be nominated online at www.youthservices.ky/proudofthem, ahead of the closing date: Saturday, 22nd March. Nomination categories include excellence in: Academics, Sports, Community Service, Culture, Business/Entrepreneurship and Career/Workplace.
To date, the Proud of Them programme has highlighted around 180 youth through its annual call for nominations. Each year, 15 youth honourees are selected to be featured prominently on billboards around Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, in addition to receiving a modest honorarium. There is also a category to recognise two (2) Rising Stars. Over time, the growing list of programme alumni have come to include Olympians, successful business owners, internationally recognised performance artists, service organisation leaders, technological innovators and many other successful youth who have shared their stories through the Proud of Them youth empowerment initiative.
The recently rebrand programme has continued building this goal to raise awareness of youth contributions, by launching a new series of interactive engagements, projects and showcases that promote positive change. Developed by the Youth Services Unit, the “Inspiration in Action Series,” will occur in partnership with Proud of Them alumni throughout the year.
Head of Youth Services Unit, Mrs. Mellony Bryan-Waugh said, “Our honourees are the role models seen on billboards, but this series is an opportunity to interact face-to-face with them. By connecting with the public through this series of events and activities, we are relying on our Proud of Them alumni to help us encourage new youth nominations and most importantly, to inspire the next generation of youth whose positive actions will improve our islands.”
The first event in the series, a youth mixer, was hosted in mid-February to share more about the nomination period launching, and to encourage youth to get involved in the programme; as well as to take positive actions that could benefit the community. The mixer included a card crafting workshop to benefit the Meals on Wheels programme. Three (3) Proud of Them honourees: Jhosta Williams, Jadeon Hanson and Rayne Harding shared their inspiring stories and joined the group efforts of youth attendees who developed over 200 cards made to motivate and connect with seniors and vulnerable people being served through Meals on Wheels. Future events in the series are planned to showcase honouree talents, impart skills and address community/youth needs identified by honourees in collaboration with the Youth Services Unit and the Proud of Them programme.
Youth Minister, Hon. Isaac Rankine noted, “I am proud to see these honourees inspiring the next generation of young Caymanians. Their participation in Government-led initiatives like Proud of Them, is essential in helping us inspire and empower other youth. It is also clear that our private sector sponsors stand behind the value of this programme. My hope is that youth development and community inclusion can grow with the ‘Inspiration in Action series’ and every year, that we continue to see the public nominating deserving young Caymanians.”
Parents, teachers, youth leaders and youth, are encouraged to submit their nominations or self-nominations through the simple online nomination process, before the Saturday, 22nd March closing date. Interested sponsors or members of the public seeking more information, can also contact the Youth Services Unit at info.ysu@gov.ky or by visiting www.youthservices.ky/proudofthem to submit a nomination.
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