The Youth of the Year Award is designed to acknowledge the contributions and excellence of the young people of Fall River who have built their character and competence through the fulfillment of America’s Promises, a broad-based alliance whose partners focus attention and resources to help every child receive the Five Promises essential to success. The award is a three-part process: 1. a nomination by a caring adult, 2. an essay by the youth, 3. an interview. The nominations are based on personal achievement, leadership abilities, extracurricular activities, healthy living, effective learning opportunities, and/or community involvement.

    The essay requires the youth to write about why they are proud to live in Fall River and how they have made a difference in the community and themselves.

Requirements of the nominees are:

    -involved in a youth leadership group that is a member of Youth VOICE or nominated by member of Youth CHOICES;

    -resident of Fall River, in his/her senior year of high school or in the process of attaining his/her GED; and

    -worthy of recognition for personal accomplishments in the past year (2011) in the areas of personal achievement/special recognition, leadership abilities, extracurricular activities, healthy living, effective learning opportunities and/or community involvement.