The Oak Bay News consistently offers stories of local young people doing amazing things.
There is no shortage of them in Oak Bay.
In community news we often say we know a little about a lot. We write about everything.
“You don’t write about everything,” a new young friend Zara pointed out during the annual YES Awards last week. “You don’t write about me.”
Valid point Zara.
The YES Awards often present themselves as an opportunity to meet young people doing fantastic things.
Sometimes they’re students we’ve already heard about through school or sports, sometimes they’re someone doing something incredible that society just doesn’t have the right accolade for.
We discover their talents through the awards program.
“It’s not what they do, it’s who they are,” said Dr. Jim Force, presenting on behalf of the Rotary Club of Oak Bay.
From sports and music to academics and activism, so many of our youth are engaged in their community and striving each day to reach their goals, whatever that may mean for them.
This month, the district presented 12 of those youth with 2017 YES Awards.
It marks a decade of celebrating youth in the community.
Founded to emphasize the positive achievements of Oak Bay’s young people – Young Exceptional Star – or YES – Awards, recognize those who have distinguished themselves in areas including volunteerism, arts, citizenship, academics and athletics, as well as those who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
For the 10th year during the YES Awards, we learned of those who give freely of their time to help others in the community, their schools and farther afield as well as those who set goals for themselves and diligently work to exceed them.
Learn more about these young stars in our special section (page A9 to 11).