Annually the JSA of LIS awards several special trophies recognizing people and programs that are strong role models among the JSA member junior sailing programs.

The JSA special awards are the Brooke Gonzalez, Susie Trotman and Mitchell Weeks trophies for personal excellence, the Mary von Conta Award (pictured above) for enhancements at a JSA member program, and two recently created awards for Overall Excellence or Variety of Programming (by a junior program) and for Overall Excellence in Program Management (by an individual).

Nominations for the 2026 season are open to submissions from sailors, parents and junior program instructors/leaders. Nominations received by the August 31 closing date will be reviewed by the JSA board during September and the awards will be presented at JSA’s Annual General Meeting in late-October.

Here are some nominating tips for the JSA special awards:

– Ask yourself, “Who stands out in my mind from 2026 in these categories?”
* Sportsmanlike sailing in Club 420 and ILCA (all rigs) (Weeks award)
* Outstanding sailing instruction (Trotman award),
* Young woman dedicated to the sport of sailing, with outstanding sailing achievements (Gonzalez award)
 * Junior program with exemplary contribution toward improving the quality and safety in the training or instruction of sailors (von Conta award)
 * Junior program with overall excellence or variety of programming
 * Individual who provided overall excellence in program management

– Does a name quickly pop up? Jot it down! Think again for another deserving nominee in a different category.
– Review your own junior program’s awards list for possible nominees. Ask other committee members and experienced instructors to suggest a candidate for each award.
– Keep in mind your nominee’s behavior over the entire season, not just a single regatta or situation.
– In a brief summary, explain why your nominee deserves this recognition, including specific examples showing how they meet the criteria for each award. No supporting letters from other sources are needed; just write what you personally know about your nominee. Quality is more important than quantity: a single nomination with a compelling description of how the nominee meets the criteria for a special award will carry more weight than numerous submissions campaigning for a nominee.

Nomination Guidelines:
– Nominations for awards to individual persons may be made by any member of the JSA. However, to avoid conflicts of interest, a family who thinks their own junior sailor may be eligible for an award should refer the sailor to their junior program’s leaders, who will decide if the program wishes to nominate that sailor for an award.
– Nominations for awards to JSA member junior programs may be made by any member of the JSA, and self-nominations from JSA programs are encouraged for the Mary von Conta and the Program With Overall Excellence or Variety awards.

Please fill out the online survey forms linked below to submit your nominations by end of day, August 31, 2026.

MITCHELL S. WEEKS TROPHY:
This trophy is awarded to junior sailors who are respected for exceptional sportsmanship in the Club 420 (skipper or crew) and ILCA (all rigs) classes. These sailors always use good clean racing and skill, no matter if it’s win, lose or draw, and you’re left thinking they are good people to race against. Use this online link for your nomination.

BROOKE E. GONZALEZ MEMORIAL TROPHY:
This trophy is awarded to a junior woman who demonstrates sportsmanship, exceptional ethical behavior and dedication to the sport of sailing, together with outstanding achievement in sailing competition. Use this online link for your nomination.

SUSIE TROTMAN TROPHY:
This trophy is awarded to the instructor or coach who has consistently provided outstanding sailing instruction and training to sailors.  Use this online link for your nomination.

INDIVIDUAL WHO PROVIDED OVERALL EXCELLENCE in program management:
This trophy is awarded to the head instructor, program- or sailing-director, or other program leader who provided excellent overall program management. Use this online link for your nomination.

MARY VON CONTA AWARD:
This award is presented to a JSA member junior program that has made an exemplary contribution toward improving the quality and safety in the training or instruction of sailors.  Self nominations from JSA programs are encouraged. Include description of a specific existing program feature that was enhanced, or a new program feature, that delivered a significant benefit in this calendar year to the members of your program. Use this online link for your specific nomination.

PROGRAM WITH OVERALL EXCELLENCE or variety of programming:
This trophy is awarded to the JSA member junior program that  has regularly provided programming of overall excellence or variety. Self nominations from JSA programs are encouraged. Use this online link for your nomination.

US Sailing Awards:
In addition, US Sailing has its own special awards for individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the sport of sailing. So consider making nominations on the US Sailing website.