Youth Award recipients

Amir is an active member of the North Shore community, volunteering in a multitude of different areas such as tutoring calculus and with Foundry North Shore. His positivity and openness make him a great advocate for youth, along with his growing modeling career and completing Level 10 in piano.

Arden actively supports mental health initiatives at Handsworth Secondary School through her commitment to sports. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she rallied the Sports Faculty at Handsworth Secondary School to provide a safe and secure facility for her field hockey team to prepare for their upcoming season.

Aria has been nominated by his instructors for his accomplishments in piano and mathematics. He has finished Level 9 Royal Conservatory of Music with an exceptional score of 90 and first class honours with distinction in Piano and has already started Level 10.

Aubrey is a talented basketball player at Windsor and 3D Basketball. His elite skill, sportsmanship, and leadership have contributed to his teams’ successes. His hard work and dedication are admirable traits that he brings to basketball and to academics where he is also highly successful.

Camille has been nominated by Mountainside Secondary School for overcoming personal obstacles to achieve her academic goals. Described as a life-long learner, Camille will graduate with honours this year and plans to study nursing.

Emily is being recognized for her resilience, continuing to work towards her goals whilst overcoming personal challenges. She has taken on many adult responsibilities as a teen and has been complemented for her strength in pushing forward and never giving up.

Freya is an advocate for the environment, gender equality, anti-racism, and the LGBTQ+ community. She was nominated by École Ross Road Elementary for inspiring and organizing others to help protect people and the environment.

Graham is student council president at Handsworth Secondary School and a member of the Youth Justice Lab, which educates students on the justice system, de-colonization and indigenous justice. They have been nominated by Handsworth Secondary School for their ambition, resiliency, and overcoming personal obstacles to achieve their goals.

Hailey has achieved significant academic success in the Education Assistant Program at Capilano University. She engages with her peers, community, and academics with passion and determination. Showing strength and humour throughout personal barriers, Hailey has become an advocate for herself and others. Her love of learning is evident to those who know Hailey.

Kamryn is an ambitious young woman who doesn't hesitate to help out when she see a need.  Her leadership in Student Council, STEM Club and the North Vancouver School District Leadership Council were paramount in her efforts to help younger women at Windsor Secondary to be involved in science and the school community.

Lauren is being recognized for overcoming personal challenges to reach her academic goals, as well as her contribution to the sport of aerial silks, volunteering over 200+ hours with the West Vancouver Aerial Silks community. 

Lexy Pursell balances her time between her love of dance, school, work and volunteering. Lexy is a part of Shift Dance Academy’s competitive program and has competed at an advanced level in numerous competitive groups, winning overall Highest Scoring groups at multiple events and continuing to Provincial Finals.

Luca is being nominated by Parkgate Community Services Society for his kindness and conflict resolution skills. He is an inclusive pre-teen that goes above and beyond to include and support all children who attend programs with him.

Marika has been nominated for her engagement of other youth and mediation skills. She is best known for her notable kindness, motivation to always put her best self forward, and supporting those around her in any way she can. She is also a fantastic origami teacher!

Mika was nominated by Mountainside Secondary for her leadership experience on Student Council and as part of the yearbook team, and for her participation in several extra-curricular groups, including Music Therapy, GSA, Game Ready, Drama Club, and Mycology. She is described as a positive and helpful role model with her peers and wants to study Film at Capilano University.

Oliver was nominated by his teachers at Mountainside Secondary for his activism and allyship with racialized communities. Oliver is hardworking, resilient and determined to overcome personal challenges, managing a part time job while graduating early.

Sandra has been nominated by Mountainside Secondary for her leadership experience on Student Council and Grad Council, and for overcoming personal challenges to meet her goals. She is described as an inspiration for others, and is recognized for her determination and courage. Sandra has been accepted to the Communications Program at Capilano University.    

Sophie has been nominated by École Ross Elementary School for her extensive leadership and volunteering experience. She generously volunteers her time to assist with coaching Kindergarten to Grade 3 basketball with VanCity Basketball, and with Highlands Church to prepare and serve Saturday lunch to those in need.

Victoria has been nominated for speaking out about her experiences with racism and discrimination towards the Asian-Canadian community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her well-written and open letter was published in the North Shore News, and we would like to thank her for helping make the District a safer and more inclusive place.

Emma has dedicated upwards of 75+ hours with the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, where she is involved with everything from tree propagation and planting to salmon spawner counts and the restoration of Maplewood Creek.

Jonah volunteers his time to collect bottles and cans in all weather conditions and donates the funds to organizations such as Jump Start, Lions Gate Hospital and the Vancouver/Hornby Island Food Banks. Over the past three years, he has raised over $2,500.

Matthew began his Grade 8 year at Windsor playing a vital role in the live streaming and video recording of events for the school. Matthew worked intensively for numerous events to record 14 different music classes, two ceremonies and even a musical theatre production. All of the hundreds of hours have come on a volunteer basis.

Meg is a quiet leader who truly embraces the spirit of community. She volunteers her time towards a variety of causes: sewing masks for seniors during the pandemic, serving hot meals to those in need, volunteering with children at summer camps, and more.

Raina is an outstanding community member and has volunteered countless hours to the Seycove Secondary Band Program. Not only is she an exceptional musician, she also tutors and teaches free weekly lessons. Students enjoy her lessons because of her patience, humour, and efficiency. Outside of music, she is also a valued member of the Seycove Student Council.

Samantha has invested huge amounts of positive energy into her community despite facing significant health challenges. She has invested over 500 hours of her time teaching and training over 200 kids and administering the sport of volleyball over the past few years. Samantha has contributed an immense value to the sport of volleyball and to her community.

Sho’s community service record spans a range of experiences and causes, from serving meals to the homeless to mentoring young students as they learn Japanese. He is also a lighting operator at the Deep Cove Stage Society and works as a ski instructor.

Deep Cove Kayak is an outstanding supporter of youth in the Deep Cove and Mount Seymour community. They are a pillar in their community and are committed to keeping customers and youth campers safe, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every summer, the centre hires around 20 local high school and post-secondary students, to give them an opportunity to build valuable career experience while contributing positively to the community.

Justin has made great personal strides, completing hours of work experience at a local car dealership and auto parts store as part of the Work Experience Program at Windsor Secondary School. In the future, he aspires to become a mechanic.

Over the past two years, Florence has demonstrated outstanding leadership in her role coaching students in grades nine and ten. She excels as a coach by creating a positive and inclusive environment for all players.

Lisa has overcome personal barriers and become a confident and humorous individual with a strong work ethic. She explored her interest in animals while contributing volunteer hours at the Capilano River Hatchery through the Work Experience Program at Windsor Secondary School.

Niko has demonstrated determination and tenacity while overcoming challenges and displaying significant personal growth, to become a leader and advocate for both herself and others. She channels her passion for yoga, mindfulness, restorative justice, and other activities to create meaningful connections and build community.

Miles regularly participates in the youth programs hosted at Parkgate Community Centre. His kindness, humour, and ability to create an inclusive and judgement-free space helps build meaningful connections and a sense of community for local youth.

Jordan is an active member of the Mountainside Secondary School community. He actively participates and contributes to the social justice program, yearbook committee, and school social life.

Maya has overcome personal barriers and will graduate with honours this spring. She is a talented artist, actor, percussionist and leader who has given back to her community in her role as a youth instructor, inspiring other young people to pursue their passions for acting and music. 

Dakota has gained wisdom, empathy and insight in her personal journey. She recently completed Hollyburn Family Service's WIRED 4 Success program and obtained full time employment working with young indigenous mothers; an area that she is deeply passionate about.

Sam is an advocate for mental health and has contributed hundreds of hours of service to this cause. She is a committed member of the Jack.org Club Handsworth Chapter, whose mission is to obliterate the stigma of mental health. This year, Sam coordinated 350 students in a variety of Wellness Week initiatives at Handsworth.

Kaitlyn has served as a volunteer assistant with Driftwood Dance Academy for years. She stands out as a reliable role model and mentor at the Academy, offering a caring demeanour and listening ear to both faculty and students.

Bethanea has a passion for community building and has contributed nearly 300 volunteer hours as a Peer Leader with the Catching the Spirit Youth Society (CTS). Her contributions to the community have made her into a natural leader who inspires those around her.

Olivia is a grade 12 student at Crofton House who has contributed to a long list of volunteer groups, both locally and globally. She always puts others first and is constantly thinking of the impacts her actions have on others and our planet.

Kate is a dedicated volunteer, contributing 225 hours of service as a grade 10 student towards a multitude of causes. She is reliable, consistent, and able to handle sensitive situations with children who may be nervous or uneasy.

Daniel and Peter co-founded the Tabletop Club at Argyle Secondary to create regular opportunities for students to be able to play board games. With the simple yet powerful goal of making someone’s day just a little bit better, the club has grown to approximately 40 members and offers a place to share moments and spend time with friends.

Sage has devoted hundreds of hours of service working with Ocean Wise through the organization’s Aqua Camps and YouthToSea Leadership programs. He is currently working to reduce plastic pollution by promoting the use of refillable water bottle stations within his local community.

The Parkgate Village Safeway is an outstanding supporter of youth in the Deep Cove and Mount Seymour community. Their donations have enhanced the Parkgate Youth Centre drop-ins to allow the youth workers to better connect with local youth and by allowing extra funds to be spent on much needed items for the youth programs and centre.

This year’s YouthLAB team created an innovative arts journal project to help reduce stigma around mental health in their communities.

The group created an arts-based journal filled with their reflections, messages and explorations surrounding youth mental health through writing, poetry, visual art, and photography.

Members include:

• Nikita Amini
• Andra Chitan
• Mary England
• Shadi Madani
• Mya Nevin
• Sarah Pollard
• Natalie South
• Chloë Skyes
• Ashton Ying