2009 In Review - Connecting Stars Winners

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past year about the events and accomplishments of the EYC in 2009. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.

The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in April:

Connecting Stars Results
by Marc Rocheleau

Using art to convey their message, six youths are being recognized for promoting mental health awareness.

Essex Youth Centre (EYC) member Jasmine Wood (17) and a panel of judges have announced the winners of her Dare To Dream project. Connecting Stars is a book containing litterary and visual art submissions by youth in the area.

All entries help promote mental health awareness and with 67 to choose from, it was important that judges review everything closely. Wood was satisfied with their decisions.

"I am very happy at what was submitted and think the winners are all very deserving," said Wood. "The judges did an excellent job and I think they were perfect."

Because of different entry styles, three visual and literary submissions were awarded prizes. Heather Ferguson won first place for visual art, Kayan Ywung received second and Stephen Dronin came in third. In the litterary submission category, Tia Nicoletti earned first place, Chase Copat came in second and Jenna Petrie won third.

Several copies of Connecting Stars have already been sold to youth centres across Canada and many are seeking funding to replicate it in their communities. Those close to Wood are excited as well.

"When my grandma came over for dinner during Easter, the first thing she did was come to me with $5 in change asking for a book because she had read about it in the paper," said Wood. "She was proud of me and that made me happier than I can express."

Last month, Wood made a presentation about her book at the Teen Youth Participation Strategies (TYPS) conference in Ottawa. Those in attendance were impressed with what Wood and EYC did, also praising 17-year-old member Kelly Howe’s art for the presentation.

On Monday, May 11, EYC will host an event to celebrate the project and its winners. Cash awards will be handed out that night and each winner will also receive a copy of the book.

Wood previously dealt with depression and sought funding from the Provincial Centre Of Excellence For Child and Youth Mental Health to pursue the project. Once she received a $5,000 grant, Wood began organizing the book and got youth in the community involved.

Connecting Stars is now on sale to the general public with proceeds split between the Teen Health Centre and Kids Help Phone – two programs assisting those suffering from depression. To purchase a copy or for more information, people are being asked to call EYC at 519-776-9000.

"My goal with this project was to touch at least one persons life and make a difference," said Wood. "With the response I've been getting at the [Teen TYPS] conference and from friends and family, I think I did more than that."