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Date: 4/19/2022
AMHERST – The Amherst Human Rights Commission (HRC) has accepted nominations for its 16th year of celebrating Youth Heroism Awards. The commission has partnered with the Julius Ford Harriet Tubman Healthy Living Community to host a celebratory community picnic at Mill River Recreational Park for everyone nominated on May 7.
Nominations could be made for any group or individual, including students that go to school in Amherst but don’t live there. Nominations were due by April 15.
“Individual students are nominated for various acts of kindness,” Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jennifer Moyston said. “An 8-year-old whose sister was having stomach pains, the mom called 911 and the 8-year-old translated the entire conversation between dispatch and the mom as the mom did not speak English. We have had several athletes nominated for their leadership on and off the field or court and their dedication to the community. We receive nominations for students for anti-bullying initiatives and for sticking up for others. We received a nomination for the former HRC student commissioner and received a nomination for another student in ninth grade who sat on the Community Safety Working Group. Everyone nominated receives an award.”
Group awards include Girls on the Run, Amnesty International, and Student Advocates for Change.
“Student Advocates for Change presented to the Human Rights Commission and eventually received the commission’s support for their recommendation to Town Meeting that the town of Amherst celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day,” Moyston said.
The HRC says its primary purpose is “to promote a community of mutual respect and to honor the diversity of our community. We strive to promote attitudes of compassion and concern for our neighbors.” Acknowledging youth heroism encourages courageous behavior in the future and is a way for the community to recognize even its youngest citizens.
“Naturally, I feel a sense of hope for the future of the country and community when it comes to the youth,” Moyster said. “The HRC continues to support and encourage our youth as they become leaders. They are our future.”