Oakville youth celebrated at the inaugural Youth Awards and mural unveiling

On May 4, 2024, eight Oakville youth were recognized with the first Oakville Youth Awards at a special ceremony held at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). 

The 2024 Oakville Youth Award recipients are:

• Amna Sultan and Brenton Wang, Emerging Youth Leader Awards
• Qianqian Xue and Pooshne Chandrika Kotla, Youth Artist Awards 
• Faith Joson and Anvi Nambiar, Youth Involvement Awards
• Junyi Jeremy Zhang and Maxximus Bettiol, Youth Sports Awards

The event took place during National Youth Week, which included free interactive activities and learning opportunities for youth ages 11 to 17. The town received 186 nominations for the inaugural Oakville Youth Awards, in partnership with the Oakville Youth Action Committee.

Youth mural unveiling

The Youth Mural Project, which invited 12 young local artists to connect, create and collaborate on an indoor public art mural, was also unveiled on May 4 as part of Youth Week. The community gathered to celebrate “A Trip Through Town” at the Youth Centre at QEPCCC. 

Learn more about the town's Youth Services.

Quote

“Congratulations to the recipients of the first ever 2024 Oakville Youth Awards! Council and I thank you for contributions to making Oakville a vibrant and livable community. Your leadership, passion and dedication to the community is an inspiration for all of us.”
- Mayor Rob Burton

“The Oakville Youth Awards and mural unveiling were such inspiring events on how to give back to the community. It made me so proud to see the impact youth can make and their efforts celebrated.” 
- Olivia Cancela, youth mural artist and social chair of the Oakville Youth Action Committee

Background

This is the first year for the Oakville Youth Awards, which is a new joint initiative between the Town of Oakville and the Oakville Youth Action Committee, a group of young volunteers working to foster positive experiences for youth in our community.

Emerging Youth Leader Award

The Emerging Youth Leader Award recognizes youth who positively influence their peers, demonstrate leadership qualities, and make a positive impact as role models through motivation and mentoring, while showing a true passion for helping others. 

• Amna Sultan is a seasoned entrepreneur and inspirational speaker who is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Amna co-founded Two Sisters on a Mission and is a bestselling author and keynote speaker at more than 100 business conferences worldwide. 
• Brenton Wang is the founder of Little Fish Art Studio, which during the pandemic offered virtual art therapy support for youth to combat stress and loneliness. Brenton organized a charity art auction, which raised $1,600 for minority language books, helped create a public mural emphasizing humanity in a tech driven world, organizes mosaic-making workshops and volunteers time to teach snowboarding to children of all abilities. 

Youth Artist Award

The Youth Artist Award recognizes youth who demonstrate a passion for the arts, whether through music, theatre, or other cultural talents, and who positively represent and dedicate their talents to raising awareness of arts and culture among the youth community.

• For more than a decade, Qianqian Xue has been dedicated to dance and has mastered the piano at level 10 proficiency. Qianqian also sings and has shown talent and passion in arts through initiatives like “Kids help Kids”.
• Pooshne Chandrika Kotla has shown creativity and innovation through Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form known for its intricate movements and profound storytelling. Pooshne is also dedicated to preserving and promoting Bharatanatyam through educational initiatives and community outreach programs. 

Youth Sport Award

The Youth Sport Award recognizes youth who demonstrate a passion for sports and portray a positive image through their participation, volunteerism, or coaching within their chosen sport.

• Junyi Jeremy Zhang’s unwavering determination and skill is evident in ice hockey. Junyi has progressed from AA to AAA hockey and is consistently recognized as MVP in various tournaments. Junyi also makes hockey more accessible to others through volunteer work and tutoring programs. 
• Maxximus Bettiol juggles multiple sports and academic commitments. As a coach for a U13 house league hockey team, Maxximus demonstrates exceptional dedication and leadership, helping the team develop skills while contributing to a positive team culture.

Youth Involvement Award

The Youth Involvement Award recognizes youth who dedicate their time and efforts to local organizations or events, actively engaging in their community through volunteerism, employment, participation, and demonstrating a passion for helping others.

• Faith Joson’s commitment to serving the community shines through their leadership at Sunday school classes, volunteerism at school events and community building activities and opportunities to mentor others. Faith leads by example and inspires others to make positive choices for themselves and their community. 
• Anvi Nambiar’s service to the community is far reaching. From environmental initiatives like Earth Day cleanups and tree planting to clothing donation initiatives and messages of love to support older adults during the holidays, Anvi is continuously contributing to the community. Anvi is also co-founder of H20 Canada Youth Community and participates in cultural events and piping and drumming bands.