Youth Award recipients
2022 Award recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Youth Awards who were honoured at the May 9 regular meeting of Council.
Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Category: Youth Recognition Award
Recognizes young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art or sports.

Audrey Baker
Audrey was nominated by Windsor Secondary, where she is a key member of her their volleyball, basketball and rugby team. She also contributes countless hours to bettering her school’s athletics community through coaching, yearbook photography, and running intermural leagues.

Alianna Juma
Alianna was nominated by Mountainside Secondary for her leadership experience on student council, and for overcoming personal challenges to reach her goals. She is a highly empathetic person who goes out of her way to be inclusive of others also working to overcome their own circumstances.

Jalen Jackson
Jalen was nominated by his coaches at Windsor Secondary for his remarkable work ethic, teamwork and sportsmanship as a member of the Windsor Dukes basketball team. His coaches were also very impressed by Jalen’s perseverance and dedication to becoming the best athlete he can be.

Kyle Lowis-Turtle
Kyle was nominated by Parkgate Society for his personal resiliency, and the positivity he brings to the Parkgate community. Kyle is a talented artist as well, and assisted with redecorating the Youth Centre in 2020.

Makaidea Gonzales
Makaidea was also nominated by Parkgate Society for her resiliency in meeting her personal goals. Makaidea has been making her mark with the Gals N Pals group, where she is a strong advocate for social justice movements. She is also a Youth Ambassador for the Squamish Nation Youth Centre.

Yvonne Cabebe
Yvonne has been nominated by Parkgate Society for her involvement in various aspects of volunteer work. She is an amazing artist who uses her abilities to connect with others in the Parkgate community.

Zeyus Spenta
Zeyus was nominated by Handsworth Secondary for his extensive student leadership experience and accomplishments in his literary pursuits. Zeyus is the recipient of many international awards, with publications in academic journals and anthologies.
Category: Youth Community Enhancement Award
Recognizes young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.

Anders Bergman
Anders has been nominated by Seycove Secondary for the work he has done for the North Shore Way, a series of hikes designed to encourage people to connect with the natural landscape of the District. Anders created North Shore Way’s website, and was instrumental in building up the program’s social media presence.

Leo Cormier
Leo has been nominated by Mountainside Secondary for their exemplary leadership in their school community. Leo also dedicated countless hours towards establishing a BIPOC student group at his school. They have written proposals and grant applications, and served as interim facilitator until one could be found.

Charlotte Degenstein
Charli has been nominated by Keats Camps. She has dedicated over 800 volunteer hours as a cabin leader, deckhand, and volunteer staff member. Her generosity with her time was integral to maintaining operations over the past two years, amidst challenges with COVID-19.

Mia Martin
Mia has been nominated by Eastview Elementary for her involvement in student leadership. Mia helped organize events such as Pink Shirt Day and Camp Read, and also assists with lunch monitoring, morning announcements, and assisting younger buddy classrooms.

Noa Pockey-Mammone
Noa has been nominated by Handsworth Secondary for her student leadership experience and mental health advocacy. Noa also contributed to the writing of school district policy 409, which promotes cultural tolerance and acceptance in all aspects of a student’s school experience, and endorses the concept of active and positive multiculturalism.
Category: Outstanding Youth Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth
Recognizes a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth or providing funding, support, or services to young people.

Natasha Rivard-Morton
Natasha has been nominated by Parkgate Society, where she works as a Youth Centre Coordinator, enhancing the life of youth through education, advocacy and building connection. Over the past few years, she developed program and services that continued to support youth through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seymour Golf and Country Club
Seymour Golf and Country Club has been nominated by Windsor Secondary School for its support of the Windsor Work Experience program. The organization offers several placement opportunities to help students gain work experience hours, and hires local students each year.
2021 award recipients
2021 Award recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Youth Awards.
To protect the health and safety of our community, we acknowledged the award recipients online and through a virtual ceremony as part of the May 10, 2021 meeting of Council. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Category: Youth Recognition Award
Recognizes young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art or sports.

Amir Farhadpour - Sutherland Secondary
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 Goddard-Despot - Handsworth Secondary
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 Erfan - Handsworth Secondary
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 Dorey-Havens – Windsor Secondary
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 Ford – Mountainside Secondary
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 Duffy – Mountainside Secondary
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 Hawkshaw - École Ross Road Elementary
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 Best - Handsworth Secondary
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 Nicol - Capilano University
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.

Kamyrn Chin – Windsor Secondary
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 Woolcombe – Mountainside Secondary
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 - Handsworth Secondary
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 Toube - Sherwood Park Elementary
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 Brydon – Windsor Secondary
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 Yekrangian – Mountainside Secondary
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 Punter-Reinhardt – Mountainside Secondary
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 Mondragon – Mountainside Secondary
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 Nicholson - École Ross Road Elementary
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(Seungri) Kang - Carisbrooke Elementary
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.
Category: Youth Community Enhancement Award
Recognizes young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.

Emma Chylinski - BCIT
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 Louie - Dorothy Lynas Elementary
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 Coffin – Windsor Secondary
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 Birrell – Seycove Secondary
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 Liao – Seycove Secondary
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 Mills – North Shore Stars Volleyball Club
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 Birrell – Seycove Secondary
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.
Category: Outstanding Youth Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth
Recognizes a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth or providing funding, support, or services to young people.

Deep Cove Kayak
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.
2020 award recipients
2020 Award recipients
Here are the recipients of the 2020 Youth Awards who were acknowledged and celebrated online along with a video message from Mayor Little.
Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Category: Recognition and Outstanding Achievement
Recognizes young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art or sports.

Justin Walton — Windsor Secondary
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.

Florence Durocher — Windsor Secondary
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 Gray — Windsor Secondary
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 Williamson — Mountainside Secondary
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 Oldknow — Windsor Secondary
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 Charles — Mountainside Secondary
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 Mars — Mountainside Secondary
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 Strong — Hollyburn Family Services Wired 4 Success Program
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.
Category: Youth Community Enhancement
Recognizes young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.

Sam Pescott — Handsworth Secondary
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 Fraser — Driftwood Dance Academy
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 Chou — Carson Graham Secondary
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 Asgari — Crofton House School
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 Sheardown — Argyle Secondary
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 Tyson & Peter Le — Argyle Secondary
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 Narita — Carson Graham Secondary
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.
Category: Outstanding Youth Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth
Recognizes a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth or providing funding, support, or services to young people.

Safeway Parkgate Village
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.
Category: Outstanding Youth Team
Recognizes a group who has completed a minimum of 50 hours per person of community or school service to enhance programs or services in their school or community.

YouthLAB
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
2019 award recipients
Here are the recipients of 2019 Youth Awards, presented by Mayor Little and Council. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Category: Recognition
Recognizes young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art or sports.
- Tiernin Hoyle — Dorothy Lynas Elementary School
- Shaye O’Donnell — Argyle Secondary School
- Lisa Peramaki, Kallym Nicoll, Nevada Romas — Mountainside Secondary School
- Amber McIntosh, Jonathan Hannah — Seycove
- Misuzu Tosa — St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
- Sam Maxwell, Shandly Dowling, Shenagh Weeks — Windsor
- Anna-Elaine Rempel — Capilano University
Category: Youth Community Enhancement
Recognizes young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.
- Alana Titerle — Carson Graham
- Kate Walker — Sentinel Secondary School
- Kimia Nouhi Kashani — Sentinel Secondary School
- Jillian Kitt — Queen Margaret’s School
- Shaunti Bains — Capilano University
Category: Outstanding Youth Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth
Recognizes a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth or providing funding, support, or services to young people.
- Ava Music and Arts Center
- Creativ Music Center
- Deep Cove Starbucks
- NorVan Boys and Girls Club
- Paul Moretto
- Total Therapy
- The Home Depot
Category: Outstanding Youth Team
Recognizes a group who has completed a minimum of 50 hours per person of community or school service to enhance programs or services in their school or community.
- Capilano Youth Advisory Committee
- Handsworth Secondary School:
- Ali Borujerdi
- Andres Delgado
- Andrew Kershaw
- Bowen Xiao
- Charlotte Ticehurst-Wong
- Danny Kim
- Dennis Quek
- Don Lee
- Eamon Ma
- Griffin Lee
- Kian Anjam
- Lauryn Thrift
- Luca Le May
- Niki Booker
- Shahaab Oshidary
2018 award recipients
Here are the recipients of 2018 Youth Awards, presented by Mayor Walton and Council. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Outstanding Youth Team Award
This award recognizes a group who have completed a minimum of 50 hours per person of community or school service to enhance programs or services in their school or community.
Team: Vancouver Coastal Health Congregate Meals Program at Parkgate Community Centre
- Sentinel Secondary — Annudesh Liyanage
- Saint Thomas Aquinas — Bella Haaf, Celine Liu
- Windsor Secondary — Braelyn Gandossi
- Other — Caitlin Lowe, Khatidja Malick, Stephanie Lowe
Youth Recognition Award
This award recognizes young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art or sports.
- Argyle Secondary School — Cameron Joyce, Ella Haysom, Joe Delahaye, Kerryanne Calllahan, Nathan Lirenman, Sarah Huxley, Will Palmer, Zoie Phillips
- Mountainside Secondary — Adelle Mintoft-Graystone, Angeline Segato, Emily Nahanne-O'Donaghey, Hayden Dobie, Lucy Watson Weston, Stanfield Zafir Kassam
- Seycove Secondary — Aidan Harding
- Windsor Secondary — Molly Trinkl, Sydney Treasure, Tania Ajikan
- Capilano University — Madi McWilliam
Outstanding Youth Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth Award
This award recognizes a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth, or providing funding, support, or services to young people.
- Derek Palmer and Maplewood Farms
- Tine Moberg-Parker
- Terry Bulych
Youth Community Enhancement Award
This award recognizes young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.
- Argyle Secondary — Caden Dignard-Campbell, Hannah Greenfield, Johannes Jurenka- Ruehle
- Handsworth Secondary — Avin Alimohammadi
- Sutherland Secondary — Jordanne Burgess
- Windsor Secondary — Nick Martel
- Other — Daniel Shaw