KYAC Youth Awards

Congratulations to Isabella Todd, recipient of the 2026 Arts & Culture Award.

Isabella has made a meaningful impact in the arts and culture through the creation of The 20 Something Girl Magazine, an independent publication that builds community among young women through storytelling, visual design, and multimedia. The magazine thoughtfully responds to the isolation and anxiety many peers experience, transforming personal vulnerability into connection and shared understanding.

Since September 2025, the publication has grown from 100 subscribers to more than 320 and developed an engaged online audience exceeding 1,500 followers. Each quarterly issue features over 20 creative segments and is independently designed and produced using self-taught publishing skills. Through collaboration with local artists, small businesses, and wellness professionals, this work has created a space where young women in the Kitchener community feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported, thereby strengthening the community's cultural fabric. Reader testimonials describe a “soul deep” connection and appreciation for “actual actionable items,” moving beyond passive consumption to active engagement.

At its heart, this work creates a space where people feel seen, understood, and connected, turning creative expression into a lasting sense of belonging. 

Congratulations to Olivia Vento, recipient of the 2026 Entrepreneurship Award.

Olivia demonstrates exemplary entrepreneurial leadership through an innovative venture that designs specialized puzzles to promote cognitive health and social connection for seniors. The initiative addresses critical community challenges, particularly loneliness and cognitive decline within an aging population.

Rooted in a human-centred approach, the venture was developed in response to the real and pressing isolation experienced by older adults. Since joining the Social Innovators in Training community in January 2025, the nominee has advanced the project from an early concept to near-market readiness. This progress includes comprehensive market research, commissioning original artwork, and creating functional prototypes, all guided by a clear, strategic development timeline.

The venture’s impact is both meaningful and measurable. Addressing the needs of Canadians living with dementia and arthritis, their puzzles supports both cognitive engagement and gentle physical activity. Supported by presales, sound financial planning, and active community involvement, this work reflects outstanding innovation, compassion, and sustainable social impact worthy of recognition.

Olivia demonstrates strong innovation, empathy, and leadership through work that is both thoughtful and impactful. The venture reflects a clear commitment to social good and shows real potential for lasting community benefit, making this nominee well deserving of recognition.

Congratulations to Laurel Pierroz-Wong, recipient of the 2026 Environment Award.

Laura is an outstanding youth leader whose work brings together environmental engineering, climate action, and youth education. As a recent graduate in environmental engineering, this individual transformed academic knowledge and lived passion into a practical climate solution by co-creating an innovative project focused on invasive species management.

The project addresses the widespread issue of buckthorn, an invasive species that degrades green spaces and is typically removed and sent to a landfill. Instead, the team designed a reactor that converts buckthorn waste into biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendment used for ecosystem restoration and climate mitigation.

With support from Kitchener’s Youth Climate Action Fund, the nominee is leading the design and construction of this reactor in collaboration with local farm partners. Additional funding has supported the development of hands-on workshops and learning materials to engage high school and university students in meaningful climate action.

Recognized for strong leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to learning, Laurel consistently mobilizes peers and shares knowledge, demonstrating impact well beyond the project itself and making them highly deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations to Isabella Mazza, recipient of the 2026 Leadership Award.

Isabella began their work in student leadership in Grade 10 by creating the school’s first Student Winter Market, designed to provide student entrepreneurs with a meaningful opportunity to showcase their small businesses. The event featured 10 student vendors and drew more than 500 staff and students during lunch hour. Now in its second year, the initiative has been formally adopted by the Leadership program to continue as a long-term school tradition.

Their leadership capacity was further demonstrated through a successful Co-President campaign in Grade 10, an achievement not typically pursued at that stage. In response to campaign commitments, they independently led a large-scale schoolwide fundraiser, Soup for Supper, in November. The event brought together over 150 students, families, and staff, raising $2,500 in its inaugural year. Responsibilities included coordinating volunteers, Parent Council, staff, local businesses, catering, entertainment, and promotional efforts.

Funds raised were intentionally directed toward reducing financial barriers, including subsidies for field trips, support for a take-home food pantry program, the creation of a new Activity Passport program to encourage student engagement, and community-building give-back days in the cafeteria.

Through consistent involvement across leadership councils and committees, this work reflects a commitment to identifying gaps and responding with thoughtful, sustainable actions that strengthen inclusion and connection throughout the school community.

Congratulations to Darren Harry Baine, recipient of the 2026 Intergenerational Award.

Darren's work centers on building meaningful connections between generations, creating spaces where experience, insight, and mentorship can be shared with young people. A key initiative is the Young Eye International Podcast, which brings together conversations between youth and established leaders across entrepreneurship, policy, sustainability, and community building. Through these discussions, young audiences gain direct access to lessons, guidance, and perspectives drawn from lived leadership experience, as well as exposure to mentorship and funding pathways.

This intergenerational focus also extends to community events and speaking engagements, where young entrepreneurs are given opportunities to present ideas to mentors and professionals who provide constructive feedback and support. In advisory and institutional roles, including participation in equity and inclusion initiatives, youth voices are intentionally positioned alongside senior leaders in conversations about policy and community engagement.

Through programs connected to youth organizations and schools, this work consistently encourages young people to explore leadership, think critically about the future, and learn from experienced role models—strengthening understanding, collaboration, and shared responsibility across generations.

Congratulations to Sarah Arogun, recipient of the 2026 Personal Triumph Award, which recognizes a student whose journey reflects resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to personal growth.

After immigrating to Canada from Nigeria in 2024, Sarah navigated a new country, culture, and education system with determination and optimism. Rather than being discouraged by these challenges, each experience became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow..As an active participant in the Pathways to Education program, they consistently engage in mentoring sessions and post-secondary planning, approaching each opportunity with focus and intent. By fully embracing available supports, they also set a strong example for peers through reliability, positivity, and perseverance.

Beyond academics, meaningful community connections have been built through ongoing volunteer involvement. Support has been provided to different organizations in the community such as Retail Therapy KW, Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health's Newcomer Wellbeing Program and Youth C.R.E.W, as well as her high school's Newcomer Orientation program. These contributions reflect a strong sense of responsibility, empathy, and a genuine desire to give back.

Academically, clear and ambitious goals guide their work, paired with a strong interest in pursuing a future in healthcare as a nurse. Their story reflects the true spirit of personal triumph, showing how courage, purpose, and persistence can transform challenge into lasting impact.

Congratulations to Olivia Kuszaj, recipient of the 2026 Service & Caregiving Award.

Olivia's work reflects sustained, hands-on commitment across healthcare, crisis support, and community advocacy. Beginning in May 2024 as a volunteer at Luther Village on the Park, Olivia supported residents living with dementia on the Memory Care unit through activity programming. Over time, more than 100 volunteer hours were completed in addition to paid responsibilities, with continued service chosen deliberately.

Olivia contributed more than 170 volunteer hours to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, including direct involvement in the Safe Steps program, supporting families impacted by gender-based violence and helping create safe, welcoming environments where families felt supported and engaged.

In addition to volunteering, they have worked to ensure stem cell donation awareness is inclusive and equitable through leadership in a university-based Stem Cell Club. Using the club’s platform, they addressed misconceptions surrounding LGBTQIA+ eligibility for stem cell donation to reduce stigma and encourage broader participation. They also led collaborations with the Black Donors Save Lives campaign and Black student associations, creating infographics and outreach resources that highlighted racial disparities in donor registries affecting African, Caribbean, and Black communities, and equipping peers with clear, accessible talking points for engagement.

Through consistency, adaptability, and purpose, their work has strengthened dignity, access, and connection for residents, families, and communities often underserved.

Congratulations to Alison Zangrilli and Zoya Khan, recipients of the 2026 Social Justice & Action Award.

We are celebrating two incredible individuals. Through their shared venture, ZOLA Dates, these two co-founders have made a meaningful contribution to celebrating cultural diversity while fostering unity within the community. Together, they identified a gap experienced by many Muslim families, particularly young people feeling disconnected from cultural and religious traditions and responded with an intentional, creative solution.

Their co-created Dates of Ramadan box transforms a traditional and sacred element of Ramadan into an interactive educational tool for families. Designed to support parents in sharing rituals, stories, and values with their children, the product encourages cultural pride while strengthening intergenerational connection. Early community engagement demonstrated strong demand, with 15 families subscribing to receive updates and 92% of market-testing participants accurately identifying the product’s accessible price point.

Beyond the product itself, this initiative creates shared moments of celebration during Ramadan, reinforcing community bonds and offering a point of cultural learning for the broader public. Their work promotes unity by affirming cultural identity while remaining open, inviting, and educational.

By also integrating support for sustainable date farming practices, their venture connects cultural preservation with responsible global citizenship. Together, their collaboration demonstrates how thoughtful innovation can deepen understanding, honour tradition, and build a more connected and inclusive community.

Congratulations to Mehreen Khakh, recipient of the 2026 Sports & Recreation Award.

Mehreen is a two-time national champion who has spent the past four years shaping and strengthening the culture of their gym community. Joining at age 13, they grew from a quiet presence into a central leader on a 25-person competitive team, regularly stepping forward to lead warm-ups and set a focused standard before training even begins.

Beyond personal performance, their impact is defined by consistency and intention. They mentor approximately 20 youth athletes each week, offering visible leadership in a space where young women are often underrepresented. Rather than leading through words alone, they model discipline, preparation, and accountability in daily practice.

One of their most notable contributions has been transforming a shared team learning exercise into action. After studying Atomic Habits, they designed a practical accountability system and calendar that the entire team used to track weekly growth, helping translate theory into measurable progress and shared responsibility.

As Mehreen begins university studies, they have chosen to remain actively involved in the gym, continuing to train, mentor, and invest in the athletes around them. Their leadership extends beyond titles or results, strengthening a culture built on structure, effort, and belief that will continue to shape the team long after competition ends.

Congratulations to Rebecca Girolametto, recipient of the 2026 Unity in Diversity Award.

Rebecca's commitment to unity in diversity is grounded in active listening and intentional advocacy within the school community. Recognizing that not all lived experiences are shared, Rebecca has consistently prioritized learning from peers with different cultural, linguistic, and personal backgrounds, and responding to those perspectives with action.

This work began with a Grade 9 geography capstone project focused on how schools can better support English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Through collaboration with ESL teachers and direct engagement with students, they examined barriers to inclusion and identified practical ways to strengthen support. That learning extended beyond the classroom through continued volunteer involvement in ESL spaces, assistance with developing learning materials, and direct support for language learners navigating extracurricular activities and school initiatives.

By helping ESL students access opportunities beyond academics, they have worked to ensure fuller participation in school life and stronger representation of diverse voices. This approach reflects a belief that inclusion is built through everyday actions that create belonging, visibility, and access.
Through sustained advocacy and a willingness to learn from others, this work contributes to a more welcoming, representative, and unified school community.

Congratulations to Imaan Raza, recipient of the 2026 Youth in Technology Award.

Imaan has demonstrated a strong and innovative ability to use technology to strengthen communication and engagement within the school community. Through leadership of GRCI News, they developed and managed a student-run digital platform that serves as a central hub for announcements, event promotion, and student stories, consistently reaching a significant portion of the student body.

Alongside this digital work, they actively supported their school administration and student leadership by helping create and deliver daily in-school announcements. By intentionally aligning GRCI News content with school announcements, they improved clarity, consistency, and student engagement ensuring important information reached students through multiple, complementary channels.

These contributions led to formal recognition through the Renegades Making Waves Achievement Award, acknowledging their measurable impact on school culture and communication. As they pursue a leadership role on Student Council, they plan to further expand the use of digital tools and media through GRCI News to amplify student voices and ensure communication remains accessible, relevant, and effective.

Through intentional use of technology and consistent service, Imaan's work has strengthened connection, participation, and representation across the school community.

Congratulations to the GrassrootsKW Group, recipient of the 2026 Group Award.

This youth-led group has created a meaningful impact by making climate action accessible, connected, and empowering for young people across Kitchener-Waterloo. Through listening to peers, they identified a clear barrier: not a lack of interest, but a lack of connection to real, local opportunities. In response, they built a simple, easy-to-navigate hub that directly connects youth to hands-on initiatives, including environmental volunteering, research programs, and community restoration projects.

Beyond this practical resource, their work is defined by collaboration and community building. Through creative, interactive events such as sustainability trivia nights, upcycling workshops, and artistic activities, they bring young people together to encourage conversation, learning, and shared purpose. These events are designed not just to inform, but to build relationships that strengthen long-term involvement in environmental action.

Their presence at regional events, including sustainability expos, reflects a commitment to mentorship, supporting younger students in turning concern about climate issues into concrete next steps. This work is informed by youth interviews and research, ensuring initiatives respond directly to real experiences and barriers.

The result is a shift from isolation to participation. By creating infrastructure that connects, supports, and includes, this group has fostered a sense of belonging and collective responsibility, strengthening youth engagement and care for the community and environment.

Grassroots KW is represented by Abinaya Balaji, Saskia Coosa, Salma Elgohary, Jason Deng, Liam Neusteter, Isha Shenoy, Daisy Zhang, Deeka Douglas, Katie Yu, Sol Qiu.

Congratulations to David Dirks, recipient of the 2026 Youth Ally Award.

As a guidance counselor, David Dirks has supported students at Grand River Collegiate Institute for several years and has played a critical role in helping many of them continue and succeed in their academic journeys. For some students, David has truly been a “saving grace in continuing my academics.” They consistently go above and beyond their formal responsibilities, offering support not only academically, but also emotionally and personally.

The most recent school year presented significant emotional challenges for many students. Despite a demanding workload and numerous responsibilities, David consistently makes time to provide individual care and attention to each student. Their patience, honesty, and genuine concern are evident in every interaction. Through their work, this guidance counselor has had a positive impact on many students at the school. They encourage students to believe in themselves, build confidence, and strive toward their full potential. Their office is a safe and welcoming space where students can talk openly, reflect, and feel supported.

Additionally, they have supported student efforts by assisting with school announcements, helping create and distribute posters, and communicating initiatives through emails to both staff and students. Because of this support, important information reached a wider audience, increasing awareness and engagement across the school community.

David Dirks is especially deserving of the Youth Ally Award due to their selflessness and unwavering dedication to youth. As a trusted role model, they inspire resilience, confidence, and growth, leaving a meaningful and lasting impact on students and the broader Kitchener community.

Congratulations to Yemariam Mulugeta, recipient of the 2026 Community Contribution Award.

Yemariam has demonstrated outstanding commitment to arts, culture, leadership, and overall community contributions, making a meaningful and lasting impact across both the school and the broader community.

In the area of arts and culture, Yemariam has been actively involved in planning and supporting community events that celebrate cultural identity and heritage. They have contributed to events such as Ethiopian New Year celebrations and have volunteered in Amharic language classes by assisting with teaching young children their native language. Through this work, they have helped preserve cultural traditions while strengthening community connections and intergenerational learning.

Their leadership experience is extensive and impactful. They have attended OSLC, CSLC, and EmpowerHER 2026, and served as Co-President at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, where they also led the Student Activities Council. In this role, they played a vital part in fostering school spirit, amplifying student voices, and building a strong, inclusive school community.

Yemariam has also shown a strong dedication to unity in diversity. They have been actively involved in their school’s Black Students Union and organized Empower Her events focused on uplifting and amplifying the voices of women of colour. These initiatives created spaces for empowerment, mentorship, and dialogue, encouraging young people to build confidence, recognize their potential, and support one another.

Beyond school leadership, Yemariam is deeply involved in the wider community. They serve as a program assistant with the Ethiopian Association and as a teaching assistant for WRDSB International Languages classes. Their contributions have already been recognized through the France-Anne Sweeny Making a Difference Award. All of this has been accomplished while maintaining strong academic performance and excellent attendance, reflecting exceptional dedication, resilience, and work ethic.

What truly sets this individual apart is their ability to bring people together. Their leadership is ongoing, impactful, and rooted in a genuine desire to uplift others, making them highly deserving of recognition for their overall contributions to the arts, culture, and leadership.