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36 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 14, 1989 4 ~ Teen-ager nominated as Junior Citizen of the Year A teen-ager described by many as a "living miracle" has been nominated for the Ontario Community Newspaper Associ- ation Junior Citizen of the Year. Debra Surman, 18, won the heart and admiration of her home town Stouffville late last fall after she saved the life of her two year old nephew in a car accident and suffered near fatal injuries in the process. Debra moved to Nestleton in July, attends grade 13 at PPHS, and has plans to attend Laurier University next year to "study business. Debra was nominated for the Junior Citizen of the Year Awards by her mother Theresa who described her daughter as "courageous, thoughtful of oth- ers," and having a never give up attitude. © The car accident that near- ly took her life happened Octo- ber 16, 1988 in Newmarket. Debra was in the back seat and her two year old nephew Anthony was in a "car seater" beside her. When the vehicle started to go out of control on a sharp cor- ner and struck the gravel shoul- -der, Debra un-snapped her seat belt and used her own body to shield young Anthony from the comingcrash. That's about all she .re- members about the accident, she told the Starin an interview last week. As it turned out, the car slammed into a hydro pole. The youngboy's injuries were not se- rious, but it was a different sto- ry for Debra. Extensive internal injuries left her on life support for five weeks in intensive care in New- market Hospital, and there were moments when it looked like she might not pull through. But she fought and strug- gled, and finally was allowed to go home after 42 days in hospi- tal. It was not until the follow- ing March that she was able to return to her grade 12 studies at Stouffville High School, and 5% 1, COMPUTER TUNE-UP Four Cylinder ... 39.95* Six Cylinder Eight Cylinder .. 59.95* * plus parts Most Cars & Light Trucks even after missing so much school, she was able to keep her work up to pass all but one grade 12 credit. Even while going through the painful process of recover- ing from her injuries, Debra kept her own spirits up and went out of her way to help oth- ers. While in hospital, she wrote a letter to a badly burned teen-ager telling him not to give up hope. Before the accident, Debra was active in school affairs as treasurer of the student council. She particapted in many sports (hockey and baseball) managed a volleyball team and umpired baseball games, while holding down a part-time job at a Stouf- ville flower shop. Today, a little more than a year later, she is slowly return- ing to a normal life. She works part-time at Ives Florists in Port Perry (she dreams of some- day owning her own flower shop) umpired this past sum- mer in Port Perry and Stouff- ville, though still suffering pain from her accident injuries. But she told the Star she is + still not quite ready yet to par- ticpate actively in sports like baseball or basketball. Echoslar 5000 IRD easy operation. hr. monitoring available). LUBE, OIL CHANGE & FILTER includes 21 point check FHoddon Catellt Custom Complete Satellite Systems " -General Instruments 2400R IRD $3,59500' HOUSTON TRACKER V IRD INCLUDES: Installation, 10° mesh dish, descrambler, 100' satellite cable and all other necessary equipment. Receivers are fully programmed and remote control for 8% P.S.T. EXTRA 'We also sell, service and install, T.V. Towers, Rotors, Anlenna's, Agents lor Cantel Cellular Phones, Residential and Commercial Fire and Burglar Alarm Equipment, (24 R.R.#1 Sunderland, Ont. Always 'popular and out- going (Debra was runner-up in the 1988 Miss Markham Fair Pageant) the town of Stouffville rallied around her after the ac- cident. Her struggle first to sur- vive and then through countless hours of painful therapy to get back on her feet was an inspira- tion to all who knew her. This "living miracle" is one of hundreds of young people from all over Ontario nominat- ed for the Newspaper Associa- tion Jr. Citizen of the Year Awards. Judges will select the final- ists who will receive special rec- ognition next spring in Toronto. The Port Perry Star has supported the Junior Citizen of the Year program for many years and would like to take this opportunity to congratula- tion Debra on her nomination and wish her best of luck in the final judging. WEDDING INVITATIONS and Accessories PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street Port Perry 985-7383 $3,79500 $3,79500 416-852-3796 or 705-357-2575 J b/ / Debra Surman who now lives in Nestleton and is a grade 13 student at PPHS has been nominated for a Junior Citizen of the Year Award with the Ontario Community Newspaper Assoclation. Described by many as a "living mir- acle," the 18 year old suffered life threatening Injuries In a car accident a year ago in which she shielded her young nephew. (see story for detalls) System PRESSURE TEST includes flush and visual check plus new antifreeze *69.95 Includes most cars & light trucks. 4. Front End Alignment *32.95 COMPUTER WHEEL BALANCING $ pes wheel . 5.95 includes weights CONGRATULATIONS JOE & CAROL LOCKE have been married for 25 years. Come and help "them celebrate at a SILVER ANNIVERSARY DANCE November 25th at NESTLETON COMMUNITY CENTRE beginning at 8:00 p.m. Best wishes only please. 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