Ten Outstanding Young Americans
Encyclopedia
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) program is an annual award given by The United States Junior Chamber
(Jaycees) organization. It is given to ten Americans between 18 and 40 years of age who "exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people."
People considered for the award are often submitted by USJC
state organizations. For example, the Minnesota Junior Chamber has a "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) program. Similarly, the Michigan Junior Chamber has a similar "Outstanding Young Michiganders / Distinguished Service Award (OYM/DSA)" program. These recipients, as well as the nominees from the other USJC
state organizations, are nominated to be considered for the TOYA award. Membership in the organization is not a requirement to win the award.
The ten selected individuals may be submitted to JCI
as nominees for the Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program.
In 1938, Howes gave Future Magazine, the former publication of The United States Jaycees, the exclusive right to publish his selection. As the organization's president in 1939-31, Howes felt that publishing this list would call attention to the important role of young men in the world of the day.
Through 1941, editors of Future Magazine selected the ten men with the assistance of Durward Howes and other judges. Since 1942, a panel of distinguished judges has made the selection process.
With the advent of women members into the organization, The U.S. Junior Chamber changed the program's name from Ten Outstanding Young Men of America to Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1985. During the 1986 honors presentation the first three women were honored at an historic ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of extraordinary young people of both genders.
Progress toward a better world has been the central purpose in selecting the recipients for the award. Essential to this purpose has been the axiom "progress is the servant of time," and the significance of a person's life is clearly indicated by achievements made in his/her most useful years. The men and women selected over the years have represented the cultural, economic, and personal progress of their time. Many of the honorees have gone on to become well known to most Americans for their achievements. Others, less famous, have nevertheless continued to serve mankind in a great variety of ways. In recent years these areas of service have been categorized into thirteen areas and are an integral part of the selection process. Each honoree must fulfill at least three of the thirteen areas to be selected for this prestigious award.
In the future years the human qualities we consider "outstanding" may well change to meet different challenges and priorities of a new age. But two beliefs set forth in the Jaycee Creed will always serve as the foundation for what constitutes human worth. Jaycees believe: "That Earth's great treasure lies in human personality, and that service to humanity is the best work of life."
Many notables have been honored as Outstanding Young Americans in the past. Each Honoree exemplifies the fifty-two words in the Jaycee Creed and dedication to creating a better nation.
Past prominent recipients include Presidents John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney. Also honored were Howard Hughes, Orson Wells, Elvis Presley, Henry Ford II, Nelson Rockefeller, Ted Kennedy, dogsled champion Susan Butcher, and actors Christopher Reeve and Shannon Reed.
The trophy is named the JAYSON," an acronym standing for "Jaycees: Active Youth Serving Our Nation." Each one weighs 11.5 lbs and is constructed of a marble base with nickel-plated hands.
United States Junior Chamber
The United States Junior Chamber is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 41. Areas of emphasis are business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. The U.S...
(Jaycees) organization. It is given to ten Americans between 18 and 40 years of age who "exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people."
People considered for the award are often submitted by USJC
United States Junior Chamber
The United States Junior Chamber is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 41. Areas of emphasis are business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. The U.S...
state organizations. For example, the Minnesota Junior Chamber has a "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) program. Similarly, the Michigan Junior Chamber has a similar "Outstanding Young Michiganders / Distinguished Service Award (OYM/DSA)" program. These recipients, as well as the nominees from the other USJC
United States Junior Chamber
The United States Junior Chamber is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 41. Areas of emphasis are business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. The U.S...
state organizations, are nominated to be considered for the TOYA award. Membership in the organization is not a requirement to win the award.
The ten selected individuals may be submitted to JCI
Junior Chamber International
Junior Chamber International is the only worldwide non-political and non-sectarian youth service organization. It is an international community of citizens between the ages of to with the aim and purpose of creating positive changes in the world...
as nominees for the Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) program.
History
The concept for America's Ten Outstanding Young Men was fathered by Durward Howes, publisher of a yearly volume, "America's Young Men." Howes published in his books for 1934, 1935, and 1936, his own selections for the twelve outstanding young men in America. In the 1937 volume, he cut the list from twelve men to ten. It has remained that number to the present day.In 1938, Howes gave Future Magazine, the former publication of The United States Jaycees, the exclusive right to publish his selection. As the organization's president in 1939-31, Howes felt that publishing this list would call attention to the important role of young men in the world of the day.
Through 1941, editors of Future Magazine selected the ten men with the assistance of Durward Howes and other judges. Since 1942, a panel of distinguished judges has made the selection process.
With the advent of women members into the organization, The U.S. Junior Chamber changed the program's name from Ten Outstanding Young Men of America to Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1985. During the 1986 honors presentation the first three women were honored at an historic ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of extraordinary young people of both genders.
Progress toward a better world has been the central purpose in selecting the recipients for the award. Essential to this purpose has been the axiom "progress is the servant of time," and the significance of a person's life is clearly indicated by achievements made in his/her most useful years. The men and women selected over the years have represented the cultural, economic, and personal progress of their time. Many of the honorees have gone on to become well known to most Americans for their achievements. Others, less famous, have nevertheless continued to serve mankind in a great variety of ways. In recent years these areas of service have been categorized into thirteen areas and are an integral part of the selection process. Each honoree must fulfill at least three of the thirteen areas to be selected for this prestigious award.
In the future years the human qualities we consider "outstanding" may well change to meet different challenges and priorities of a new age. But two beliefs set forth in the Jaycee Creed will always serve as the foundation for what constitutes human worth. Jaycees believe: "That Earth's great treasure lies in human personality, and that service to humanity is the best work of life."
Many notables have been honored as Outstanding Young Americans in the past. Each Honoree exemplifies the fifty-two words in the Jaycee Creed and dedication to creating a better nation.
Past prominent recipients include Presidents John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney. Also honored were Howard Hughes, Orson Wells, Elvis Presley, Henry Ford II, Nelson Rockefeller, Ted Kennedy, dogsled champion Susan Butcher, and actors Christopher Reeve and Shannon Reed.
Categories
Each year, the initial list of all nominees is narrowed to twenty-five finalists by a panel of screening judges, and a second set of judges determines the final list of ten honorees. The nominees are evaluated by a list of criteria and must have made notable achievements in at least three areas.- personal improvement or accomplishment;
- financial success or economic innovation;
- social improvement to major contemporary problems;
- philanthropic contribution or voluntary service;
- politics or government service;
- scientific or technological contributions;
- legal reform;
- cultural achievement (literature, history, education, arts);
- academic leadership or accomplishment;
- moral and religious leadership;
- athletic accomplishment;
- success in the influence of public opinion;
- any other important contribution to the community, state, or nation
The Trophy
1954 recipient Arthur M. Kraft designed the "Silver Hands" trophy each Honoree receives. The inscription on its base reads, "The hope of mankind lies in the hands of youth and action." Each Honoree has shown a commitment to that hope, reminding all Americans that no problem is too difficult when handled with grace, ingenuity, courage, and determination."The trophy is named the JAYSON," an acronym standing for "Jaycees: Active Youth Serving Our Nation." Each one weighs 11.5 lbs and is constructed of a marble base with nickel-plated hands.