Youth set to shine at APEX awards

Twenty-two young people are set to be recognized April 10 at the Apex Youth Awards.

The annual event will include a reception, supper and awards, as each of the 22 nominees will be recognized, and presented with certificates at the Taber Community Centre auditorium.

Trevor Brown, success coach with Lethbridge Family Services Outreach and Education Program will be the guest speaker for the evening. He has an extensive background of working with youth across Alberta in Bullying Prevention and Youth Empowerment programs.

It all adds up to an evening which the nominees, who come from throughout the M.D., will never forget, according to Coleen Campbell, Taber Times publisher and one of the Apex organizers.

“We work to ensure each and every nominee has a great evening, and that they walk away feeling the community really appreciates all they’ve done over the years,” said Campbell. “Our youth seldom get the credit they deserve for some of the amazing things they do every day, and this is an opportunity to show everyone just how valuable young people are to our communities.”

In fact, the motto of the Apex committee over the years has always been to recognize those “good kids” in southern Alberta, who may not receive recognition any other way.

“We celebrate academic achievements and athletic victories but quite often, those who volunteer, work to help others and youth who just set a good example for others are overlooked,” said Campbell. “There is no shortage of kids who volunteer, give significant contributions to their families in time of great need and go above and beyond the call of duty each and every day.”

This year, the 22 nominees range from Taber residents to those from Vauxhall, Enchant, Barnwell, Cranford and Grassy Lake.

Aside from each nominee being recognized with a certificate, four will also take home $1,500 bursaries, as determined by a panel of judges. These bursaries have been made possible by four local businesses, Canada Safeway, Chinook Chrysler, PepsiCo and YPM Chartered Accountants.

Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at the Taber Times office.