Nominations open for Proud of Them

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands (MEYSAL) invites members of the public to submit nominations for round eleven of the Proud of Them award scheme.

The initiative which honours excellence amongst youth in the Cayman Islands is accepting nominations starting today and ending on Wednesday, 20 November 2019.

“The Cayman Islands is brimming with talented young people and Proud of Them allows us to celebrate their outstanding achievements publicly,” said Youth Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly. “I urge you all to acknowledge the excellence among us and nominate those who are worthy of this wonderful recognition.”

All young persons between the ages of ten to twenty-five years and who have demonstrated excellence and have proven success, in the categories of academics, careers, business, sports, culture or community service, are eligible for nomination.

Nomination forms are available online at www.proudofthem.com and www.education.gov.ky. Submit completed nomination forms online or email forms, along with supporting evidence, to proudofthem@gov.ky.

A ministry appointed selection committee will review the nominations and select twelve honourees. The names of the chosen honourees will be officially announced to the public at an awards gala set to take place on Saturday, 11 January 2020.

A monetary grant will also be presented to each honouree during the awards gala.

Newly appointed Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of EYSAL, Joel Francis highlighted a positive change to this round of Proud of Them.

“The Ministry of Youth will double the grant award amount from $500.00 to $1000.00 for each honouree this year. It is hoped that this additional incentive will not only enhance this programme but further encourage our youth to strive for excellence,” Mr Francis stated.

A highlight of the award scheme is the feature of each honouree on large roadside billboards situated at key locations throughout the Cayman Islands for twelve months.

Proud of Them Round 10 honourees are photographed with Youth Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly (centre), Councillor Barbara Conolly (front 5-L), Councillor David Wight (2nd row 7-L), Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho (2nd row 8-L), Youth Services Coordinator James Myles (2nd row R), Ms Teen Cayman 2018-19 Latecia Bush (2nd row L), Deputy Chief Officer Joel Francis (back, partially hidden) and others, after an awards gala held in their honour earlier this year