Amelia Kelbert, age 17, from Calgary, Canada, was crowned as 2022 Youth Grand Champion at the AAPE Youth Champion of Champions (C of C) competition held during the Great American Stamp show held in Sacramento, CA, August 25-28, 2022.

This year's event included 11 competitive exhibits created by youth aged 13 - 18. Exhibitors qualified for the Championship by winning AAPE Youth Grand Awards at nationally accredited shows in the U.S. and Canada throughout the extended due to Covid (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2022). Besides the designation of "Grand Champion", many other donated awards were presented. In recognition of their high level of achievement, all participants received Fran Jennings memorial medals. Awards consisted of cash and memberships; all participants received Merit Certificates and ribbons.

The complete listing of awards is as follows:

Youth Champion of Champions - the best youth exhibit shown in North America in 2020-2022. Donated by WESTPEX. Presented to Amelia Kelbert (17), representing PIPEX, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)"

Reserve Champion - Donated by WESTPEX. Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (15) representing CANPEX, "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941"

Traditional or Postal History Award - Donated by WESTPEX. Best traditional or postal history exhibit. Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (15), "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941"

Howard Hotchner Award - For the best portrayal of North American philately. Donated by John Hotchner. Presented to Sjon Brejtfus (16) representing ARIPEX, "Railroad Perfins Used on Cover"

ISWSC Award - Best use of worldwide stamps and material. Donated by International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors. Presented to Amelia Kelbert (17), representing PIPEX, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)"

American Topical Association Youth Award and Membership donated by Don Smith - Best topical exhibit. Presented to Mia Fillion (18), representing Philatelic Show, "The USDA MyPlate Food Plate - Mapping Out the Foods"

Collectors Club of Chicago Awards

1. CCC Title Page Award - Presented to Mia Fillion (18), representing Philatelic Show, "The USDA MyPlate Food Plate - Mapping Out the Foods"
2. CCC Synopsis Page Award - Presented to Jason Teh-Mitchell (16), representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Love Letters"
3. CCC Research Award - Presented to Jaagruthi Nithin Adka (16), representing SEAPEX, "Olympics - Bird's Eye View"

WESTPEX Awards

1. WESTPEX Philatelic Write-up Award - Presented to Christina Esbeck (13), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "Cupcakes"
2. WESTPEX Creativity Award - Presented to Jason Teh-Mitchell (16), representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Love Letters"
3. WESTPEX Judges' Choice Award for Treatment or Material - Presented to Kaitlyn Zhang (15), SESCAL, "Man's Best Friend"
4. WESTPEX International Award - Presented to Amelia Kelbert (17), representing PIPEX, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)"

APS Membership Award - Donated by Ken Martin - Presented to Jaagruthi Nithin Adka (16), representing SEAPEX, "Olympics - Bird's Eye View - Heraldic First Day Covers"

AAPE Membership Award - Donated by the AAPE - Presented to Jared Gazin (16), representing WESTPEX, "Exploring French Architecture Through Stamps"

Most Improved Award - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas in memory of Chris Winters, MD. Presented to Amelia Kelbert (17), representing PIPEX, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)"

Potentiality Memorial Awards in memory of Sid Nichols and Chet Allen - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (15) representing CANPEX, "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941" and Christina Esbeck (13) representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "Cupcakes"

Spirit Award - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas in memory of Bill Norton. Presented to Li Hicks (17), representing Omaha Stamp Show, "The Life and Times of Abraham Lincoln"

AAPE thanks all the generous individuals and organizations, which have so graciously donated these awards for our aspiring youth exhibitors.