Two Pitt Meadows youth will be honoured at the Pitt Meadows Day ceremonies at 1 p.m., as recipients of the Lynn Papp award, for volunteer efforts that have benefited people locally and abroad.

This is the first year two awards will be given out, allowing younger residents to be recognized for their community involvement as well.

The winner in the 15to-17-year-old category is Jessica Howitt, a student at Pitt Meadows Secondary.

She has volunteered with the Mighty Pirates, a local special-needs softball team, as well as with Special Olympics and the Canucks Autism Network. She also volunteers at her high school. Her teachers at Pitt Meadows Secondary School speak highly of her.

The committee decided that Jessica is deserving of the award because she "has demonstrated outstanding service volunteer with special needs students in our community."

The winner of the Lynn Papp award in the 12-to-14-year-old category is Samuel Lachance.

Samuel was chosen for being an active member in his school and in community events. He showed leadership skills raising money for a water well in India, and participating in a water walk to raise the awareness of living conditions in Third World countries.

He has also collected donations for the food bank and Christmas Hamper Society, is a mentor for the Athletes In Kind, and is a volunteer at Bailey House.