Oakville Youth Awards

Celebrating Oakville's young leaders

Capping off National Youth Week, 12 outstanding young change-makers were honoured at the Oakville Youth Awards on May 7 at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

In total, 102 exceptional young people were nominated for their contributions to the Oakville community. Each nominee received a certificate of recognition.

The event was livestreamed for friends and family who were unable to attend in person. A recording is available on the Town of Oakville YouTube channel.

2025 Oakville Youth Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following Junior (aged 11 to 14) and Senior (aged 15 to 19) award recipients in each category.

Artist Junior

Sophia Ran is a talented vocalist, pianist, visual artist, and writer. She holds an ARCT piano diploma and has won numerous awards at local, provincial, and international competitions. Beyond her artistic talents, Sophia engages with the community by organizing music events, teaching piano, founding her school’s art club, and publishing short stories with the Oakville Public Library.

Artist Senior

Bonnie Luo is a multi-instrumentalist who performs with voice, piano, flute, cello, and double bass. She is actively involved in music-related initiatives including her school’s string ensemble, ArtsFest, and student-led non-profit organizations. Bonnie’s passion for music is matched by her dedication to giving back through volunteerism and community engagement.

Emerging Leader Junior

At only 11 years old, Akshaj Kshirasagar has made a remarkable contribution to his community. His volunteer efforts include organizing charity fundraisers, leading environmental education for peers, supporting senior neighbours, and donating art to hospital patients. He consistently models leadership, empathy, and community service in everything he does.

Emerging Leader Senior

Kaitlyn Hou is a dedicated leader and advocate who founded OrangeforChange, a youth initiative that raised over $7,000 and educated more than 5,000 students on Indigenous rights. As Student Trustee for the Halton District School Board, she represents over 67,000 students and leads the Student Senate. Her influence spans mental health advocacy, published writing, podcasting, competitive dance, and national business education initiatives.

Environment Junior

Suvi Kakan has shown exceptional commitment to environmental advocacy through her involvement with the Ontario Nature Youth Council. She has contributed to wetland conservation campaigns, written about sustainability in schools, and organized the Generation Green Youth Conference for two consecutive years. Suvi also addressed the House of Commons, inspiring students to launch an Environmental Conservation Team in her school.

Environment Senior

Colin Delevante has demonstrated outstanding environmental leadership through his work with Oakvillegreen, contributing to tree planting, Earth Day cleanups, and the creation of Oakville’s first mini forest. As a Forest Health Ambassador, he plays a critical role in urban forest monitoring. Colin also contributed to the creation of a pollinator garden with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, promoting environmental sustainability and community involvement.

Involvement Junior

Rachel Liu actively participates in the Oakville Public Library Leaders program and supports teen literacy through the Write2Express competition. Her leadership extends to service in the Burlington Sunrise Senior Home, Wildwood Academy, and Oakville Community Living. Through these roles, Rachel consistently demonstrates a commitment to community service and youth engagement.

Involvement Senior

Kolina Kakan is a member of Pink Stairs, an empowerment organization for young women, where she facilitates workshops on confidence and career development. Her leadership was further demonstrated through her involvement in the Halton Youth Leadership Symposium, where she helped organize the event by managing logistics and securing speakers. Her work supports and empowers youth across Halton Region.

Sport Junior

Katherine Lu is a dedicated multi-sport athlete whose talents include basketball, dance, swimming, skating, karate, cheerleading, track and field, and most notably, badminton. She has ranked in the top three nationally, qualified for the Pan Am Games, and currently trains under an Olympic coach. As captain of her school’s badminton team, Katherine uplifts her teammates, treats everyone with equal respect, and provides thoughtful feedback to both peers and coaches.

Sport Senior

Charis Dooley is a well-rounded athlete and leader who excels both on and off the field. A committed multi-sport competitor, she has also earned high honours from her karate school, including the Student of the Year award for seven consecutive years (2016-2023). Her achievements reflect a strong dedication to both athletic excellence and leadership within her training environment.

STEM Junior

Jacob Lei has demonstrated strong initiative in science, participating in medical research and STEM competitions. He contributed to an online research group during the pandemic, supported local medical data collection, and co-authored a paper for international publication. Most recently, he earned first place at the 2024 Skills Ontario competition for a wind power project.

STEM Senior

Anthony Efthimiadis stands out as a STEM leader and mentor. He serves as a mentor for the BASEF Science Fair Club and as a student advisor on the BASEF Board. Anthony was awarded first place at the 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair, and continues to inspire others through his outreach and leadership in STEM initiatives.