Manitouwadge Teen Recognized for 2010 Citizen of the Year Nomination

Written by admin on 11 February 2011

Colby Gascon proudly holds the certificate he received from the OCNA recognizing him as a 2010 Junior Citizen of the Year nominee.

MANITOUWADGE, ON – 15 year old Colby Gascon is, by all appearances, a ‘regular’ teen; he likes to hang out with his friends, is soft-spoken and was quite surprised a few days ago when a very official looking document arrived in the mail.

What Colby had received was a certificate from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) recognizing him as a 2010 Junior Citizen of the Year Nominee. Only 107 kids, between the ages of 6 and 17, in the entire province were recognized with certificates and Colby was flattered that his family and friends had taken the time to nominate him among them. They did so because they feel that Colby’s volunteer efforts are quite special. Here are the letters of nomintation they sent:

His family and neighbours know however that he does have certain outstanding qualities that set him apart and when his Mom, Kiersten Gascon, saw an ad in the local weekly paper requesting nominations for the’s (ONCA)annual Junior Citizen of the Year Awards she knew that she needed to write in.

Colby’s Mom was not the only one to submit a letter of nomination, his Grandmother did as well, most impressive however was the nomination letter sent by his neighbours, who did not know of Colby until he began helping them. They had not asked Colby for his help, he simply saw they needed help and decided to do something about it. (Read the letters below this article)

OntarioNewsNorth.com was not unfamiliar with Colby Gascon, he was first included in a story last year when he received an award at Manitouwadge High School for perfect attendance throughout the 2009/10 school year. Congratulations to Colby for his outstanding efforts to improve the lives of others and take initiative when seeing others in need.

Mayor John MacEachern was pleased to see a local teenager being recognized for his contributions to the community “Manitouwadge’s youth have always made this community better with their many achievements by volunteering and helping when asked. I am especially proud of Colby Gascon for being recognized by the Ontario Community Newspaper Association for his outstanding contributions in helping and aiding when he sees a need. Congratulations and thank you Colby, you are an inspiration to us all” said MacEachern.

Manitouwadge has more than its share of very special kids, some like Colby who quietly help neighbours, friends and family without expecting anything in return, others who volunteer for specific causes, still others who excel at sports or academics because of hard work and diligence or special talents; OntarioNewsNorth.com would like to celebrate youth in our community, representing Manitouwadge in a way worth celebrating. If you know of a special teen, write in and tell us about them, letters will be regularly chosen, from among submissions, to share with readers.

MORE INFO

Visit later when video interviews with Colby and his Mom Kiersten will be added to this post
See the article which included Colby being presented with an award at MHS for perfect attendance

LETTERS OF NOMINATION SUBMITTED TO THE OCNA about Colby

Submitted by Ray and Joan Barstad (neighbours):

“Colby Gascon, and his family moved in across the street about a year and a half ago. This young man shows his willingness to help in all situations. One example of this being…I would get up on a winter morning, and my driveway would alreay be shoveled. Another, during the summer, when I mowed the lawn, he would come right over, asking to help. With my wife and I being senior citizens, this was a god-send most days. When we offered to pay Colby for doing these jobs for us, he would usually rather have a cold drink and a bit of a visit. The odd time he accepted a small cash payment. We feel that Colby is deserving of this award, because he does things like this for other people as well.”

Submitted by Colby’s Grandmother, Glenda Gascon:

“Colby is always helping the older people next door doing lawn work and snow shoveling. Last Fall, I had cancer and Colby was over after I came home from the hospital helping me and he still comes all the time or he phones to see what help I need. He will not take money for anything he does. He says he just wants to help.”

Submitted by his Mom, Kiersten Gascon:

“Since moving here in the Summer of 2009, Colby has taken it upon himself to help people in the community who would benefit from his help. In the winter, Colby will go to the local Seniors’ Centre before school and shovel snow from the steps and wheelchair ramps. As well, Colby (without being asked) will mow the lawn or shovel the driveways of people in our area who are older or injured.

Colby read an article in the local paper about a couple collecting pop cans to raise money for a new wheelchair to help their granddaughter in another province. Colby discussed this article with his siblings and arranged a spot where they could crush the cans and store them until there is enough to take to the family. This is an ongoing project for Colby.

Early this summer, the community organised a cancer walk. Colby took his younger siblings over to get a hot dog and while there saw a need for help in the bbq section. Colby volunteered to help prepare food for hungry walkers and other community members who turned out to support the local cancer group.

Colby spent his summer helping and living in the home of two seniors (one of whom has Parkinson’s disease) who were plagued with multiple surgeries. Colby helped them by building a storage shelf in their garage and also building a footstool to assist the lady with getting into her bed. He also helped the man to prepare meals, and moving things from one floor of the house to the other so there was no danger of the homeowners injuring themselves. Without Colby’s help, dailing living would have been very difficult for these people.

At the end of the 2009-2010 school year,Colby was recognised with a gift and certificate markng his perfect attendance at school.

At home, Colby is the first to volunteer to help with jobs around the home. Quite often, he helps with his younger siblings and enjoys spending time with them. Colby enjoys cooking, carpentry, riding his bike, and computer work.

Colby has taken his 6 year old cousin (who was removed from his home and recently deemed a Crown Ward) under his wing. He took the time to help his cousin build two birdhouses, showing him where the screws were to be placed and making sure they were tight enough.

Colby will often bike over to his grandmother’s home to help her with tasks difficult for her.