Local Youth Awards Results

William McGinn BGC Kawarthas

KAWARTHA LAKES: More than 100 people from Kawartha Lakes gathered to celebrate youth at the 6th annual Kawartha Lakes Youth Awards, where they learned about the wide-ranging accomplishments and volunteer commitments of almost 30 young people.

“Speaking on behalf of our 20 judges, we’re always impressed by the quality of the nominees, and their stories of perseverance, community commitment and dedication to their pursuits, no matter what those are,” says Amy Terrill, Executive Director. “From 37 nominees, our judges were able to narrow down the field to 27 finalists and ultimately, 17 amazing winners. Thank you to all of those who took the time to shine the spotlight on one of these youth.”

The youth awards celebrate young people ages 12 to 24 for their achievements in eight categories. The returning categories from previous years were: Arts Achievement, BGC Club Spirit (which requires previous or current BGC Kawarthas involvement), Humanitarian, Leadership and Resiliency, with the Physical Literacy category’s name changed to Health & Wellness Champion. Two new categories were Outstanding Worker and S.T.E.M.

The event also bestows the Ron Kennedy Scholarship and the Marcie Beall Scholarship. Ron Kennedy founded Kawartha Youth Inc., which eventually became BGC Kawarthas, and Marcie Beall was a former BGC Kawarthas employee.

For the first year, two young performers were invited to entertain. Brothers Caden and Cavan Mabee have a variety of experiences with instruments, musical composition, and performing arts. The brothers also won the Arts Achievement award in the 12-17 age category.

One of the guest speakers was Titobi Oriola, a youth who attends BGC East Scarborough and was selected by BGC Canada for the title of Youth of the Year in 2024. “When you choose to be your best self – not a perfect self, but your most honest, most dedicated, most intentional self – you give others permission to do the same,” said Oriola.

Here are the winners in all categories:

Arts Achievement

12-17: Caden & Cavan Mabee (joint nomination)

18-24: John Bolk

Outstanding Worker

12-17: Eden Carter, William Latour

18-24: Bailey Bourque Humanitarian

12-17: Avalon Loube

S.T.E.M. - 12-17: Julian Junkin

Leadership

12-17: Fenelon Falls Youth Council; Avalon Loube, Sofia Entzin-Telford, Ella Austin Scollick and Cooper Young

Resiliency - 12-17: Ryan Fraser

Health & Wellness Champion

12-17: Sean Hayman, Karina Treiguts

BGC Club Spirit

12-17: Alexa Shvedenkova

18-24: Riley Cunningham

The additional finalists were Jaslyn Jolicoeur, Harleigh Koetstra, Ellia Purdue, Josh Bailey, Montana Beaumont, Raelynn Goobie, Madyson Macsween, Jackson Wells, Desiree Fleetwood and Wynn Van Kooten.

With the support of the following sponsors, the event raised money to support youth programs at BGC Kawarthas:

Lead Sponsors: Polito Ford Lincoln, Kawartha Lakes Honda, and Y91.9, Lindsay’s Bounce Radio.

Speaker Sponsor: Launch Kawartha

Award Sponsors: Kei-Lin Roofing, Kawartha Lakes Jump In, Wood-Mizer, Fleming College, Greg Evans Professional Corporation, Ampere and Rogers

Food Sponsor: Kawartha Credit Union

BGC Kawarthas Foundation raises money to support the programs at BGC Kawarthas, formally known as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes, and to provide direct subsidies to families. The Club is one of the area’s largest and most diverse child and youth-serving organizations. Established in 1970, it provides summer camps, before and after school programs, early learning, licensed childcare, child and youth counselling, infant development, music, sports, recreation and adventure programs in the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough.

For more information, contact William McGinn, Communications & Marketing Assistant, at 705-324-4493 ext. 243 wmcginn@bgckawarthas.com.