The TOYP (The Ten Outstanding Young Persons’) Program serves to recognize ten outstanding individuals, whose personal and professional achievements in a chosen field are exemplary, outstanding and nationally beneficial. In short, the TOYP Awards Program attempts to highlight and confer national recognition of these achievements and contributions to serve as an example and incentive for youth of ou
r country to channel their energies in the right direction and create a positive change in the community. The idea for the original TOYP Program was conceived and developed by Dowered Howes, President of the United States Junior Chamber in 1931. In 1933 this was officially adopted by the United Stated Jaycees. Since 1952 numerous national (Jaycee) organizations have established their own “Outstanding Young Persons” programs in their respective countries.
“The Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World” program was officially adopted by Junior Chamber International much later and the first-ever World TOYP Ceremony took place at the World Congress of Junior Chamber International in Taipei, Taiwan. Well-known personalities of the caliber of Orson Welles, Benigno Aquino, Henry Kissinger, former Governo-General of Canada Edward Schreyer, the late U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and the world-famous Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake (the only Sri Lankan ever-todate to win TOYP Award) have been but a few of the recipients of these prestigious Awards. To be selected as a TOYP honoree, a long and arduous process, which requires that all the nomination forms received be scrutinized by an illustrious panel of judges, has to be gone through. Prior to that, Entry Coupons are published in the national newspapers over a long period of time and persons interested could request for an official nomination form. Nominations could be submitted in either in English, Sinhala or Tamil. In all cases the guidelines for selections are based on how each person’s achievement/s benefited the community, his profession or the world and how such achievements have inspired others and his record of adherence to the principles embodied in the Jaycee Creed. In accepting the honor, it is hoped that the honorees will continue to grow in their ability to contribute to their nation and the world, while serving as a source of inspiration to future generations of youthful leaders to do likewise. May the free initiative and achievements demonstrated by these outstanding young persons motivate others to incessantly strive to attain their fullest potential and thereby create a positive change in the communities and Sri Lankan citizens.
