Amherst Human Rights Awards Nomination and Ceremony



We will collect completed nomination forms up to May 31, 2013.

The Human Rights Commission will select those to be honored in time for the Annual Community Gathering on June 15th. The award will be in the form of a framed certificate and a suitable small gift.



2 May 2013



Dear Amherst Teacher,

The Amherst Human Rights Commission has as its prime purpose to promote a community of mutual respect and to honor our diversity. We also hope as well as to promote attitudes of compassion and concern for our neighbor. To help encourage these values in our children, we have initiated the Human Rights Youth Heroism Award, an annual celebration of Amherst children. It is our committee’s intention to seek among our children for those who have shown a special gift, one that comes not from the mind, or physical talents; but, from the heart, of our ability to love and care for one another.

This will be the ninth year that we have initiated this award. At least three awards will be given, one for a child of elementary school age, one for a middle school child, and the third for an adolescent in high school. If more than one child is deserving of this award in each age group, more than one annual award will be presented. We are looking for children who have demonstrated acts of kindness, unselfishness, and / or community service, either within their families, their schools, or the community. This is not a “good citizenship” award that honors children who have never misbehaved, or have perfect school attendance. We are especially looking for children who have demonstrated social courage.

Nominations will be gathered by making an appeal to the schools and the community at large. Specific nomination forms are included with this letter. We will collect completed nomination forms up to May 31, 2013. The Human Rights Commission will select those to be honored in time for the annual community gathering on June 15th. The award will be in the form of a framed certificate and a suitable small gift.

We have chosen to ask teachers to nominate children because in their work they have frequent contact with a number of children. We would, however, accept nominations from any person who has observed exceptional kindness or consideration in any child regardless of how you came to know of the child. Children who are not from Amherst but attend school in Amherst are eligible.


Yours truly,
Gregg Bascomb, Human Rights Commission Chair


Nomination Letter & Form