Eligibility:
In order to be eligible, a candidate must be 18 years of age or under as of Sept. 1, 2025, be a resident of the City of Ottawa and reside east of St. Laurent Blvd. Candidates can be nominated by their parents, teachers, friends, coaches, social workers etc. Nominations submitted by the candidates themselves will not be accepted.

Criteria:
A selection committee of seven judges will review all submitted nominations up to the expiration date. Nominations will be judged solely on their accomplishments between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. Each judge will list the nominees they have chosen as award recipients. In order to be eligible to receive an award, the nominee's name must appear on at least four of the ballots submitted by the judges. The judges' decision is final.

Categories:
There are no categories per se. On the contrary, applicants may have participated in multiple categories that span either sports, humanitarianism, community service, bravery, academia, innovation, environment etc. Special consideration will be given to nominees for their efforts in a combination of areas. For example, volunteering and athletics, academics and athletics etc.

Entries:
All entries must include the name, address and telephone number of both the nominee and the nominator along with a summary of the nominee's accomplishments. Entries can by sent by e-mail to OYA@orleansstar.ca, or mail to the addresses below. Entries submitted must be typed or printed.

Notification of the winners:
All recipients will be notified by phone and their names will be published in the Orléans Star newspaper.

Deadline:
All entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2025. Handwritten entries submitted on the last day of the contest must be dropped off at the address provided below. Please note that we are not responsible for lost or misdirected submissions.

Entries can be submitted by email to OYA@orleansstar.ca or mailed to:

Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards
c/o The Orléans Star
745 Farmbrook Cres.
Orléans, ON
K4A 2C1

For more information contact Fred Sherwin at 613-447-2829 or e-mail OYA@orleansstar.ca.