Ten Outstanding Young Americans

The Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) program is an annual award given by the United States Junior Chamber (USJC) organization. It is given to ten Americans between 18 and 40 years of age who "exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people." [ [http://www.usjaycees.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=132 The United States Junior Chamber - Ten Outstanding Young Americans ] ]

People considered for the award are often submitted by USJC state organizations. For example, JCI Minnesota has a "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) program. Similarly, the Michigan Junior Chamber has a similar "Outstanding Young Michiganders / Distinguished Service Award (OYM/DSA)" program [ [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/CHAR01/805180450/1166/NEWS01 Nominations are sought for award | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal ] ] . These recipients, as well as the nominees from the other USJC state organizations, are nominated to be considered for the TOYA award. Membership in the organization is not a requirement to win the award. [ [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/CHAR01/805180450/1166/NEWS01 Nominations are sought for award | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal ] ]

The ten selected individuals may be submitted to JCI as nominees for the Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program. [ [http://www.jci.cc/ Welcome to JCI - Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs ] ]

History

The program was previously called the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) program. The program was officially adopted by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1938 and has been conducted annually since 1940. In 1984, the national organization also admitted women as members and reorganized the awards program to incorporate this change, though the name of the award was not changed until 1985. Many notable individuals have received the award, including athletes, entertainers, and politicians.

Categories

Each year, the initial list of all nominees is narrowed to twenty finalists by a panel of screening judges, and a second set of judges determines the final list of ten honorees. The nominees are evaluated by a list of criteria and must have made notable achievements in at least three areas. [ [http://www.usjaycees.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=132 The United States Junior Chamber - Ten Outstanding Young Americans ] ]

• personal improvement or accomplishment;
• financial success or economic innovation;
• social improvement to major contemporary problems;
• philanthropic contribution or voluntary service;
• politics or government service;
• scientific or technological contributions;
• legal reform;
• cultural achievement (literature, history, education, arts);
• academic leadership or accomplishment;
• moral and religious leadership;
• athletic accomplishment;
• success in the influence of public opinion;
• any other important contribution to the community, state, or nation

ee also

* List of Ten Outstanding Young Americans

References