Submissions for 2026 Now Open!
A new Youth Awards season has begun! This time with new opportunities for the local youth! We also have brand new, easier-to-use forms for submission!
If you are from or have a close connection to the Kawartha Lakes area, and you have a kid between 11-24 years old and you think they deserve recognition for their hard work related to art, working, advocacy, leadership, sportsmanship, perseverance, spirit, or STEM smarts, you can submit them for these awards! If you yourself are between 11-24 years old, you can submit for yourself too!
There are three individual forms, the first one being the longest, where you will say who you’re nominating, for which award, and why they deserve it. The second one is a media consent form that will allow us to photograph them at the event. It will need to be filled by a parent or guardian of the nominee if the nominee is a minor. The third one is for the nominee, so they approve being nominated.
Resources
Make A Submission
- Step 1: Click here to nominate someone for an award!
- Step 2: Media Consent Form
- Step 3: Nominee Consent Form
If you wish to fill out a printable version of the nomination form, click here!
Scholarship Nominations
Ron Kennedy Scholarship Application Form
Marcie Beall Scholarship Application Form
Info About Awards
Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners and thank you to our sponsors and partners. You can read about our 2025 and 2024 winners here.
What are the Youth Awards?
The Youth Awards were created to shine a spotlight on the achievements of the young future leaders of Kawartha Lakes. By nominating someone for one (or two) of our various awards, you give them a chance to be known as a winner, which may provide them with job or further education opportunities. After nominations, judging committees read every submitted form and select the finalists, who are then invited, with their family and friends, to the Youth Awards Award Ceremony, where not only are the winners announced, but the audience hears every finalist’s story and achievements. We also display the various stories of the finalists on our social media, where we have over 4,000 Facebook followers and 1,200 Instagram followers. Our Award Ceremony for 2026 will also include a pre-party, a live band, food, a speaker, swag, and more!
What Awards Are There?
Arts Achievement Award
The recipient of this aware has demonstrated originality and passion in creating, promoting or celebrating art. The art category is broad and includes visual art, music, theatre, dance, film, literature, artisan crafts and digital media. Creating art can include the design and production of original work, and promoting and celebrating art could include marketing, organizing gatherings or promoting the art of others.
2026 Award Sponsor: Kei-Lin Roofing
2025 Award Winners:
12-17 Winners: Caden and Cavan Mabee
18-24 Winner: John Bolk
Outstanding Young Worker Award
The recipient of this award may be self-employed, a co-op student, paid or unpaid volunteer, or a paid employee. They are recognized for qualities that make them a strong team player in a workplace: positive attitude, reliability, willingness to learn, strong work ethic and commitment to making a difference. They are consistent performers who routinely go above and beyond expectations.
2026 Award Sponsor: City of Kawartha Lakes
2025 Award Winners:
12-17 Winners: Eden Carter & William Latour
18-24 Winner: Bailey Bourque
Humanitarian Award
The recipient of this award has shown courage and conviction by standing up for, and speaking out, in support of their beliefs. They’ve translated those convictions into action while showing respect and dignity towards others. Whether they fight for social justice issues, sustainability of the planet, or equality and inclusion, they do so with passion. This award may be for an individual, or a group.
2026 Award Sponsor: Wood-Mizer
2025 Award Winner:
12-17 Winner: Avalon Loube
STEM Award
The recipient of this award has demonstrated a strong interest in, and achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). They exhibit some of the qualities of a scientist: curiosity, interest in discovery, innovation and experimentation. They enjoy finding solutions to problems, and might be known as a tech whiz. Their achievements may be academic, in club or community initiatives, or through entrepreneurial ventures.
2026 Award Sponsor: Ampere
2025 Award Winner:
12-17 Winner: Julian Junkin
Leadership Award
The recipient of this award understands themselves, their goals and vision. They are able to harness various strengths, approaches, and skills in order to influence, interact and communicate with others. This individual has demonstrated the ability to motivate a group of people to achieve a common goal together.
2026 Award Sponsor: Greg Evans Professional Corp
2025 Award Winners:
12-17 Winners: Fenelon Falls Youth Council;
Avalon Loube, Ella Austin Scollick, Cooper Young and Sofia Entzin-Telford
Resiliency Award
The recipient of this award has shown an ability to overcome obstacles, persevere when problems arise and to bounce back from adversity. They have faced challenges, delays and opposition on the road to success. They haven’t just survived, they have thrived.
2026 Award Sponsor: McDonald’s
2025 Award Winner:
12-17 Winner: Ryan Fraser
Health and Wellness Champion Award
The recipient of this award has demonstrated mindfulness, a commitment to health and wellness, and understands the value of being active for life. Award recipients exhibit leadership in promoting physical literacy by actively participating in or organizing wellness initiatives, sports, fitness programs, or health awareness campaigns. Their positive influence motivates others to adopt lifelong habits that contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle.
2026 Award Sponsor: MSI Snow & Ice
2025 Award Winners:
12-17 Winners: Sean Hayman and Karina Treiguts
BGC Club Spirit Award
The recipient of this award demonstrates the Club’s core values, such as Belonging, Respect, Encouragement & Support, Working Together, and Speaking Out. Celebrating BGC Clubs Model for Success’ the award reflects the strength of Spirit a youth has gained with their positive contribution. To be eligible the recipient must be currently or previously involved with BGC Kawarthas.
2026 Award Sponsor: Home by Tim + Chris
2025 Award Winners:
12-17 Winner: Alexa Shvedenkova
18-24 Winner: Riley Cunningham
A nominee, who is transitioning to post-secondary education or training in the next 12 months (as of this form being submitted) can also be considered for the Ron Kennedy Scholarship Ron Kennedy exemplified all the qualities represented by our eight award categories. This scholarship, established by the family of our founder, Ron Kennedy, will be awarded to one individual from our full slate of nominees. This nominee is transitioning to post-secondary education or training in the next 12 months and should be considered for the Ron Kennedy Scholarship.
2025 Winner: Sean Hayman
The Marcie Beall Scholarship is to be awarded to an applicant who is between the ages of 17-24 and who will use the scholarship to assist in future educational or career advancement (University, College, trade apprenticeship, or other form of training). Applicants must have had previous or current involvement with BGC as a program participant, member, employee, volunteer, etc. This scholarship’s value is $800.
2025 Winner: Grace Freitag
Our 2026 Lead Sponsors:
Our 2026 Media Sponsor:
Our 2026 Speaker Sponsor:
Our 2026 Award Sponsors:
Our 2026 Food Sponsor:
