Waterford Youth Assistance Youth Recognition Awards is an event that WYA enjoys hosting annually in recognition of outstanding Waterford youth. For over 60 years, WYA’s Youth Recognition committee has honored students for outstanding achievements..
Students are recognized for personal achievements, simple acts of kindness in the classroom and school, and charitable work in Michigan or nationwide. Youth are selected for this honor for their active involvement in making Waterford a better place and helping others. Nominations are received from schools, community organizations, civic leaders, members of the faith community, and community members.

Know an outstanding Waterford youth doing exceptional deeds by serving their school, church, or community?
WYA acknowledges and celebrates youth for exceptional community service deeds. Honorees will be recognized at our Annual Youth Recognition Event. Nominations are welcome from schools, coaches, churches, clubs, organizations, hospitals, fire and police departments, or anyone who has witnessed a student’s personal success and/or volunteer achievements.
The nomination deadline for 2027 will be announced soon!
Who can be nominated
Nominees must be school-age students who live within the boundaries of the Waterford School District. Students may be nominated for many different reasons, such as exceptional service to others, setting a great example for others, overcoming personal challenges or circumstances, outstanding humanitarian acts of heroism, or exceptional service by an individual or club. No monetary compensation or court-ordered community service is eligible for recognition.
How to nominate an outstanding Waterford youth
We have moved to an electronic nomination process so all nominees must be nominated by completing the electronic nomination form.
Before you begin, please GATHER ALL INFORMATION PRIOR TO STARTING the electronic nomination form since you will not be able to move ahead by skipping an area. The information will be used to inform nominees, and their families.
For EACH student nominee, we will need the following information: Students name (please ensure the proper spelling of the name), the phonetic spelling of students name, students address, phone number, age, school, grade, parent/guardian(s) name, and parent/guardian(s) phone number, and email address.
Nominators will also need to tell WYA in 100 words or less (5 sentences) why you are nominating the individual, so think ahead of what you want to tell us about your nominee(s).
Please note our nomination form has changed and we no longer accept GROUP nominations. All nominees must be INDIVIDUALLY nominated on an independent form.
