Nominations are close to closing when it comes to recognizing an outstanding youth in the Cochrane community.

For 15 years, Cochrane has celebrated our future 'Leaders of Tomorrow' who make a difference through volunteering, getting involved and making Cochrane a great place to live. 

Brenda Dennis, Volunteer Services and Community Programmer, shares Leaders of Tomorrow recognizes any young person from elementary to high school grades for going above and beyond in the community. "It is based on volunteer and leadership contributions; it can really be a youth who is a strong leader at school, in the community, or on youth council or a youth that lives next door who shovels a seniors' sidewalk and makes a difference in that person's life."

Generally, there are at least 20 to 25 nominees that come forth but like many other years, people are late in getting them in. With nominations closing at the end of this week, the push is on. "The deadline for nominations is March 30 (4:30 pm) so it's really important for the schools or everybody that wants to recognize a youth to get them in this week."

With Cochrane's growing population, Dennis shares they have to limit the number of nominations to two so they have room to recognize all nominees and to make it an even playing field for all schools and organizations. 

Not wanting it to be viewed as a competition, Dennis states it's not about 'winning' but recognizing all nominees who strive to make our town better. "Every youth that is nominated is recognized and celebrated. It's not like your nominated and then you are put in a competition with all the other nominations and there's a winner...they're all winners! Each nominee receives a certificate and a little gift."

Martin Parnell will be the keynote speaker at the Leaders of Tomorrow awards on April 19 which also includes dinner and dessert for nominees and their special guests.

If you know a young person deserving recognition nominate them HERE.