To honor New Mexico youth aged 13 to 26 for their community service work and dedication to making the world a better place.
Nominations for the annual award are evaluated on the basis of evidence of the nominee's vision, initiative, and dedication in service to others. In other words, the award goes to young people who are already making a difference. Our hope is to challenge them to greater heights of service through the award recognition and exposure to Amy Biehl's life and work.
All nominees receive recognition and a certificate at the awards ceremony. A selection committee of youth, adults, and community leaders designate one honoree and one winner from each of the two age groups (13–18 and 19–26). Those four youth also each receive a $1,000 cash award and an awards sculpture.
The
Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award
was founded by NMVC in 1993—the year that Amy Biehl, a graduate of Santa Fe High School, died while working to end apartheid in South Africa.
Amy Biehl
portrait by Antonia Cardella
©2009
|
Amy
had gone to South Africa at the age of 26 as a Fulbright Scholar to help that country's leaders develop
a new constitution. While conducting voter registration for South Africa's first all–race election she lost her life in a riot.
After going through the Truth and Reconciliation process, Amy's family forgave the men who had participated in her death. Two of those young men work at the Amy Biehl Foundation, which Amy's family created in Cape Town to further her work and honor her life.
The Amy Biehl Foundation has been honoring Cape Town youth with the Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award since 2008. |
The Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Awards ceremony is sponsored by generous people like you. For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Silvia Jewell, 505-244-9505, ext. 27.
- New Mexico young
people ages 13–26 are eligible.
- Nominator
must not be related to the nominee and must be 18 years of age or older.
- Nominee
must have volunteered within the last 12 months specifically in the
area of community involvement, service, or outreach. The entire body of the nominee's
volunteer work will be considered.
- Nomination
must be typed or printed legibly, with answers to the five questions written in
essay form on sheets attached to the Nomination Form.
- Only
one nomination per nominee is permitted.
- Groups
may not be nominated.
- Please
do not list academic achievements or unrelated awards.
- Please
do not include letters of recommendation.
- Former ABYSA award finalists and winners, though not eligible
for another award, are eligible for nomination.
