2009 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards

BURLINGTON – Community involvement is indeed alive and well in Ontario! This was very evident from the inspiring and moving examples flowing from the 130 nominations received for the 2009 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards program. In towns and cities across the province, young people are dedicating their time and energy to countless causes and community groups that have a lasting impact on their communities and around the world.

 

As you will see here, the final recipients of the 2009 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are truly an exemplary group of individuals whose stories show a wonderful collection of leadership, determination, passion, initiative, creativity and motivation.

 

“Ontario’s Community Newspapers are very pleased to showcase the contributions of these young people who are so deserving of recognition,” said Abbas Homayed, President of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA). “We would also like to express our appreciation to all the nominators who took the time to share the stories with us.”

 

The Awards Ceremony will be officiated by the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Queen’s Park on March 29, 2010. The final recipients and their immediate families will be invited to this special presentation in Toronto.

 

The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are run through the 311 member newspapers of OCNA with the support of our corporate sponsors TD Canada Trust and Direct Energy. Nominations of eligible youth, ages 6 to 17, are received each fall through member community newspapers committed to recognizing outstanding youth who are making a difference in their communities. Nominees may be involved in worthwhile community service; special young people who are contributing while living with a physical or psychological limitation; or individuals who have performed acts of heroism or bravery. Award recipients may also be good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more than is normally expected of someone their age. A panel of volunteer judges must unanimously decide on the final recipients.

 

This year there were 130 nominees from across Ontario, who are being recognized with certificates of recognition by their local community newspapers.

 

Below, listed alphabetically, is a synopsis for each of the final recipients.

 

Chante Barnwell: 17, Scarborough: This young woman is an amazing example of what happens when drive, dedication and commitment get mixed inside a caring individual. Chante’s list of involvements in her community and at Georges Vanier Secondary School are lengthy and diverse as she always goes the extra mile to support causes. She has become a wonderful role model to all those around her.

 

Kyle Druzina, 12, Fonthill: This is a great story of how small things can have a huge impact. Inspired by photos and stories of a family friend on a Wells of Hope mission in Guatemala, Kyle initiated a fundraiser at his school. After approaching a local business to donate 500 pickle jars to the cause, he challenged his classmates to put a penny in a jar every day. When the jars were poured into the Wells of Hope wagon, they had raised more than $5,000. His initiative is now spreading to other Niagara schools.

 

Jack Fazzari, 10, and Rylan Johnson, 11, Welland: Most children look to friends, family, or video games for something to do when boredom strikes over summer break, but not Jack and Rylan. Rather than head to the pool, these young entrepreneurs started their own business, Good Ideas Inc., to raise money for the Welland Hospital Foundation. By writing and selling their own newspaper and organizing various fundraising events like a car wash, garage sale, book sale and Christmas party, Jack and Rylan have raised about $2,000, and inspired others in their community to contribute.

 

Alnoor Gowani, 13, Minden: What was supposed to be a fun Friday night with two teenage friends swinging from a rope into the Gull River, turned into a desperate effort to save a man’s life. With no regard to the danger he was putting himself in, Alnoor swam into the river to rescue a drowning 30-year-old man. He was able to take hold of the man’s hands, get him to kick his feet, and swam him to shore safely. All the while calling out for help.

 

Calvin Green, 14, Callander: It has been three years since Calvin declared that no child should have a sad birthday, and that is when he founded Cal’s Club. Each week since then, he has devoted time and money to purchase, collect and distribute gift bags containing a cake mix, icing, candles, and a toy to area food banks, and has helped more than 1,200 children have a happy birthday. His smiling face is most welcome when he arrives with his bags. Over the years he has also sought corporate donations and peer support to gather Mother’s Day bags for a local shelter and the food bank, as well as Christmas bags for children whose mothers attend university.

 

Jackson Kuhn, 17, Parry Sound: With enthusiasm that is infectious and a nickname like Action Jackson, it’s no wonder the community of Parry Sound knows this young man as an exceptional student, star athlete, and a selfless volunteer. No matter the occasion, he can motivate his peers to action, whether it be as an MC at school assemblies, the captain of his hockey team, a youth counselor or a club leader. Jackson lives each day focusing on what really matters in life – friends, family, community – and devotes himself to those around him.

 

Abigayle Lennox, 9, Cambridge: Abby was born with a cleft hand, but is happy to make speeches at her school about why it’s okay to be different. She has already overcome awareness and understanding issues and actively participates in numerous sports and after school activities, including baseball, piano, and working as a newspaper carrier. She has taken it upon herself to regularly donate food to local food banks, clothing and toys for children in need, and to use part of her earnings to purchase wish-list items for the Cambridge Humane Society.

 

Lageishon Mohanadas, 17, Toronto: His passion and perseverance to eradicate gun and gang violence that put youth at risk is inspiring – and making a difference. Lageishon, who excels at academics, athletics and the arts, is a true leader and involved in many worthy organizations. He has inspired thousands of youth to be involved and responsible citizens.

 

Makayla Pereira, 12, Orangeville: Young Makayla may be petite, but she has a big heart. She learned of a three-year-old boy who had died from cancer and was so moved she has organized Aiden’s Walk for the past three years. It’s a 5km walk through Brampton to honour him and raise awareness; and has brought in $15,000 to date. This year, her younger brother was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, and Makayla took herself to task again. While her parents started ‘Jack’s Fight for a Cure’, she spent time handcrafting bracelets which she sold on her website and on Facebook to raise money for research. So far Makayla has sold $3,000 worth of bracelets.

 

Corrina Serda, 13, Port Elgin: Finding ‘your passion’ is something that happened to Corrina at the age of 10. That’s when she started to learn about the global impacts of climate change. A few years later, she is in the top 10 presenters trained by Al Gore, and has reached more than 25,000 people with her powerful presentation on climate change and environmental issues. If each of these people implement only one of her suggestions and inspire two others to do the same, more than 75,000 green acts would have been achieved across Ontario.

 

Emma Ulakovic, 17, Cambridge: Emma has a passion for speed skating and basketball, and it shows in the many hours she devotes each week to both sports. While a chronic injury now keeps her off the ice and the court, Emma does not complain but instead contributes in other ways. She can now be found at the rink coaching young speed skaters or at the gym managing her school basketball team, and is the first to volunteer her time for local sporting events and school fundraisers. Despite such a busy schedule, Emma still has the time to be an immeasurable source of strength and support for her mother who suffers from a rare form of cancer.

 

Zachary Winkler, 8, Thornhill: For the past three years, Zachary has devoted much time and effort to raise awareness and more than $5,000 for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Do Something Sweet annually features him handing out cotton candy and is hosted in his family’s driveway. Donate what you can is his motto. This year he included a magician, face painter, and donated t-shirts to raise more than $3,000 that day. His heightened awareness of social issues at such a young age has also spurred his involvement in school and community events.

Our Sponsors

Our goal to recognize outstanding young people in communities across Ontario would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Our gratitude to them all.

Primary Sponsors



TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together
Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the three main areas of focus for TD's community giving. Flagship programs within these areas include: TD Children's Hospital Fund; TD Friends of the Environment Foundation; TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; TD Canadian Children's Book Week; TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership; and the TD Summer Reading Club.

With support from customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local causes benefiting diversity, arts and culture and other community programs. In 2008, TD donated $35 million to more than 2,100 organizations across Canada.

For more information, please contact Lara Dias, TD Bank Financial Group, 416-982-4664, lara.dias@td.com.

 

Direct Energy: Helping Communities Help Each Other
In 2008, Direct Energy committed over $1.8 million in cash, product and service donations to charitable organizations across North America, raising an additional $160,000 for charitable causes through employee-led fundraisers.

Direct Energy believes we have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work. By investing our resources, sharing our skills, knowledge and volunteering our time, we believe we can create valuable inter-connections and develop lasting corporate-community partnerships.

Direct Energy is a member of Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Council and supports our employees through a robust array of charitable programs such as Dollars for Doers, Matching Grants and our own Direct Energy Citizen of the Year Award.

For more information visit our website at www.directenergy.com

 

Patron Sponsors

James Publishing Company
McLaren Press Graphics Ltd
Performance Printing

For more information on the Junior Citizens Awards, please contact Lynn Fenton (905) 639-8720 ext. 243.