Youth and Prevention Leaders Awards
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The 33rd Annual Bristol Youth and Prevention Leaders (B.E.S.T) Service Recognition Day has been moved to Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The City of Bristol is celebrating its 33rd Annual Bristol Youth and Prevention Leaders (B.E.S.T) Service Recognition Day on May 7, 2025 at 6:00pm at Muzzy Field. The Mayor, Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services staff, Best for Bristol Coalition and the Bristol Youth Commission will be hosting a ceremony recognizing Bristol youth who have given exceptional service to their community. Nominations will be accepted for any Bristol youth and/or youth group that have made a meaningful contribution to their school, a service agency, and/or the community.
Nominations must be filled out by an adult who supervised or benefited from the service. Please be sure to fill out the application completely. This is an award of distinction; the description of the contributions made by the youth or youth group must be clear and quantifiable.
>> ONLINE NOMINATION FORM <<
***NOMINATIONS HAVE CLOSED FOR 2025***
INDIVIDUAL YOUTH NOMINATION:
Youth who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to help others through the use of their thoughtfulness, energy, talents, skills, or personal abilities.
YOUTH GROUP NOMINATIONS:
Youth groups whose full memberships, collectively, and without compensation, have made significant and meaningful contributions that can be quantified by the number of activities, service projects, as well as, qualify by the effect on the people being served.
FUTURE PREVENTION LEADER OF THE YEAR:
Recognize a youth member who demonstrates an exceptional ability to work productively within the community to reduce substance misuse and mental illness. This person shows a willingness to pursue prevention work in the future.
COALITION MEMBER OF THE YEAR:
The Coalition Member of the Year Award celebrates the BEST Coalition member who went above and beyond the call of duty. This individual demonstrates passionate, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and hardworking qualities. The member is actively involved in meetings, events and other coalition duties.
CRITERION
Hours that have been performed for credit or mandatory service projects will not be counted.
To be considered, the volunteer service needs to be performed in two of the following three areas: School, Service Agency, Community.
The number of volunteer hours from March 1, 2024 to February 29, 2025 needs to be quantified.
The Commission is looking for a minimum number of hours by the following school age grouping:
- Elementary School: 25 – 50 hrs.
- Middle School – 50 - 75 hrs.
- High School – 75 - 100 hrs.
Please note, the minimum number of hours for the Youth Prevention Leaders of the Year awards varies slightly:
Future Prevention Leader of the Year:
- Elementary School: 10 - 15 hrs.
- Middle School: 15 – 25 hrs.
- High School: 25 – 50 hrs.
Please carefully document all hours.
It is important to note that selections will be made based on exceptional service, above, and beyond the call of duty. Please include a summary highlighting their special qualities, talents, skills, and abilities, in addition to the contributions the youth has made to the community.
REQUIREMENTS
The service should be completed from March 1, 2024 through February 29, 2025 in order to qualify.
Categories of Service: 1.) School, 2.) Service Agency, and 3.) Community. Please complete each section that applies. Complete the application fully with a description that contains concise details and use initials only when referring to the nominee(s).
The deadline for nominations is no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 28, 2025.
Mail your nomination to:
Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services
Attention: Youth Recognition Awards
51 High Street
Bristol, CT 06010
Email your nomination to:
Stephen Bynum
Stephenbynum@bristolct.gov
Subject Line: Youth Recognition Awards
Youth/youth group award recipients will be notified of their selection by April 11, 2025. Recipients will be honored alongside their families at a special ceremony hosted by Mayor Caggiano, the Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth, and Community Services and the Youth Commission on May 7, 2025 at 6:00pm at Muzzy Field. Nominators are welcome and encouraged to attend.
For additional information please contact Stephen Bynum at 1-860-314-4690.
>> ONLINE NOMINATION FORM <<
***NOMINATIONS HAVE CLOSED FOR 2025***
