The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Michigan (UPAAM) is now accepting applications for the 2017 Outstanding Youth of Michigan (OYM) awards which are given to qualified high school graduates.

The OYM program, which was launched in 1984, was established to recognize excellence among Filipino-American youth in Michigan.  It has been going on annually for more than 32 years now.

Any 2017 high school graduate of Philippine heritage, who has demonstrated outstanding achievement during the four years in high school, is encouraged to apply.

The award categories include the following: Academic Excellence, Community Service/Leadership, Performing Arts and Letters and Athletic Excellence.

The candidate’s application should include the following: 1. A letter of application with a passport-size photo; personal information including address, phone number, email address, date of birth, parent’s names and other pertinent information; 2. A copy of the high school transcript of records, which indicates AP courses taken, if any.  A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 is required; 3. SAT and/or ACT scores; 4. Class rank; 5. A summary of achievements in one particular category; 6. At least two letters of recommendation. Copies of certificates of awards, testimonials, videotapes, other relevant supporting evidences may also be submitted; 7. A 250-word essay stating who the candidate is and why he/she deserves the award. The essay should be written in the third person, (e.g., “John Cruz, a 2017 graduate of Central High School, envisions himself helping people as a psychologist as he plans to start his college education at Rockwell University this coming fall semester …”) The essay will be edited and printed in the OYM souvenir program.

Attendance at the Annual Recognition and Awards Night is required. This will be held on June 17, 2017 at 6 p.m. in the Ukrainian Cultural Center at 26601 Ryan Road, Michigan.

The winners will be notified a week before the OYM Awards Night. Prospective candidates are asked to mail their application to Helen Domingo, OYM committee chairperson, at 1710 Strickland Drive, Bloomfield, MI 48302 no later than June 3, 2017.

For further information, high school graduates interested to join the search are asked to call any one of the following search committee members: Roy Coloma, UPAAM president, 734-582-3463; Eden Alfaro, 586-979-2032; Helen Domingo, OYM chairperson, 248-855-4508; Delia Rayos, 313-885-1862; and Anita Sodawalla, 586-344-6864.

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