December 2006
THE ROYAL CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE YOUTH PHILATELY

The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) President Rick Penko has announced that James Barron of Edmonton, Alberta is the 2006 winner of the Young Canadian Philatelist of the Year award. Barron’s success with “Milestones in the History of Aviation” has been exceptional. He has merited vermeil (the highest level a youth can attain) or silver medals at national level competitions. He has also won ATA awards, BNAPS awards, and aerophilately awards. He received a bronze medal at the Washington 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition.

Since 1992, the RPSC has been naming a Young Philatelist of the Year. The recipient receives the Mitchener Medal, named for Governor General Roland Mitchener, and the Manfred Walther Award which is accompanied by a cheque for $100.

The Walther Award is in memory of a member of Toronto’s Harmonie Stamp Club. Manfred Walther was instrumental in the growth of philatelic exhibitions and one of Toronto’s pioneers in youth philately. The Harmonie Stamp Club puts up the $100 for the award.

Rick Penko says the award is “a great opportunity to recognize accomplishments by young philatelists and to encourage more youth to get involved in the hobby.” He is “confident James Barron is a worthy recipient whose success and genuine interest has been phenomenal.” Barron has only been collecting since 2000 when he joined the Edmonton Junior Stamp Club at a local library, but he has won “many fine awards.”

James Barron is in grade 11 at W.P. Wagner School in Edmonton where he is in the FIRST (Focus in Research, Science, and Technology) program and he also takes advance placement courses. He says “collecting aviation was a topic that seemed to appeal to me.” He paid tribute to the late Dr. John Powell as his “mentor in my early collecting.” He said Dr. Powell “was very kind and knowledgeable, helping to guide me through the process of exhibiting.”

For recreation, Barron plays the baritone saxophone in the school band, and he is involved in triathlon, swim team, student union, skiing, and work..

“Stamp collecting,” he says, “is a great way to learn about different countries and history in general.” To be named Young Canadian Philatelist of the Year “is a great honour, and I want to thank the stamp community and all who have been supportive.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, James Barron plans to do “some editing on my current exhibit and begin construction of a new Alberta-specific aviation display.”

Information on The RPSC can be had by e-mail at info@rpsc.org or by visiting the Society's website at www.rpsc.org, or writing RPSC National Office, P.O. Box 929, Station Q, Toronto ON M4T 2P1.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael O. Nowlan 506-357-2698
Margaret Schulzke 1-888-285-4143