The City of Bristol is celebrating its 32nd Annual Youth and Prevention Leaders (BEST) Awards on May 8, 2024 at 6:00pm at Muzzy Field. The Mayor, the BPRYCS department, the BEST 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 benefitted 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.

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, 2023 to February 29, 2024 needs to be quantified.

The Commission is looking for a minimum number of hours by the following school age groupings:

• Elementary School: 20 – 25 Hours
• Middle School: 50 – 75 Hours
• High School: 75 – 100 Hours

Please note, the minimum number of hours for the Youth Prevention Leader of the Year Awards’ varies slightly:

• Future Prevention Leader of the Year:
  • Elementary School: 10 – 15 Hours
  • Middle School: 15 – 25 Hours
  • High School: 25 – 50 Hours

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.  

REQUIRMENTS

The service should be completed from March 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024 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 PM. on March 29, 2024.

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 at Stephen Bynum@bristolct.gov
• Subject Line: Youth Recognition Awards

Nomination application forms for both an individual Youth and Youth Group are enclosed.

Youth/youth group award recipients will be notified of their selection by April 8, 2024. 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 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Muzzy Field. Nominators are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For additional information please contact Stephen Bynum at (860) 314-4690.

Awarded by:

Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, the Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, the BEST Coalition, and the Bristol Youth Commission

(Guardian information not applicable to groups. Communications will go through coordinators who will notify their groups.)

Thank you for recognizing the outstanding youth and prevention leaders in Bristol!