Staff Report

The Virginia Jaycees, the premier leadership training organization for young adults, is currently accepting nominations from individuals, local businesses, churches, civic and community organizations for its Outstanding Young Virginian (OYV) awards.

Applications will be accepted through April 8 and are available by contacting Debra Patrick, executive vice president at 434-845-7069 or www.va-jaycees.org.

Award recipients will be honored during a banquet ceremony at the Virginia Jaycees Business Summit to be held May 13 – 15 at the Dulles Days Hotel & Conference Center in Herndon.

&uot;OYV honorees are often notable figures in Virginia who serve as examples of young leaders tending to the public interest,&uot; said Ronda Shelby, Virginia Jaycees Community Develop-ment Vice Presiden. &uot;Each year we honor three to five outstanding young men and women who are chosen from around the Commonwealth and exemplify excellence in leadership and community service.&uot;

Awards will be presented in the following categories: Outstan-ding Emergency Services Responder, Outstanding Young Farmer, and Outstanding Young Virginian.

Candidates must be a native or currently reside in Virginia, and between the ages of 21-40.

An Outstanding Future Leader award category will recognize youth between the ages of 12 and 20.

Some distinguished past honorees include former attorney General Marshall Coleman, former Lt. Gov. J. Sargeant Reynolds, former Sen. Paul Trible, Political cartoonist Jeff MacNelly, Wheelchair Olympics founder and war veteran Wannie Cook, Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy Hassel, and former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer.