Presenting the 21 Under 21 Award Recipients
☆ 2026 Edition ☆
Meet the Young Leaders Shaping Our City!
For nearly three decades, Youth Ottawa’s 21 Under 21 Awards have celebrated the remarkable young people helping shape our city and the communities around them. This year, that tradition continues with the recognition of 21 outstanding young people whose leadership, creativity, resilience, service and achievements demonstrate the many different ways youth can make an impact.
This year’s recipients were nominated by the community—including teachers, mentors, youth-serving organizations, community members and others who believed the young people in their classrooms, programs and communities deserved to be recognized. From those nominations, a diverse group of youth and community leaders came together to select the 2026 21 Under 21 cohort.
Now, Ottawa will come together to celebrate them.
The 2026 21 Under 21 Awards Gala will bring young people from across the city together with families, educators, community leaders, business partners and representatives from many of the institutions entrusted with serving and empowering Ottawa’s youth; including our school boards, hospitals, non-profits and governments.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will join us to deliver opening remarks as we recognize this year’s recipients and celebrate what becomes possible when a city sees, supports and invests in its young people.
Most importantly, the evening belongs to the 21 remarkable young people being honoured this year.
Meet the 2026 21 Under 21 Award recipients below.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available, including discounted tickets for youth.
Nick Cholmsky
Honours Psychology Student | TEDx Speaker | Mental Health Advocate | Researcher
Nick Cholmsky is an Honours Psychology student at McGill University, TEDx speaker, researcher, and youth mental health advocate. After overcoming his own experience with depression, Nick co-created the Youth Resiliency Project, delivering presentations to thousands of students, parents, and educators across Canada. Through research and public speaking, he challenges harmful stereotypes surrounding masculinity and mental health while encouraging young people to embrace vulnerability, resilience, and well-being.
Sami Mufti
Student Leader | Community Volunteer | STEM Advocate | Aspiring Surgeon
Sami Mufti is a student leader and aspiring surgeon committed to inclusion, service, and innovation. As Founder and President of his school’s first Muslim Student Association, he created new opportunities for cultural representation and religious accommodation. His leadership also includes volunteering at Perley Health, serving as Youth Ottawa’s CEO for a Day with Ottawa Community Housing, and excelling in STEM and international poetry competitions.
Una Bilcar
Biomedical Sciences Student | Healthcare Advocate | Researcher | Community Leader
Una Bilcar is an Honours Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Ottawa dedicated to equitable healthcare, research, and compassionate service. She founded Comfort in Cards, engaging more than 150 schools and delivering over 2,000 handwritten cards to hospital patients. A national karate champion, second-degree black belt, coach, researcher, and healthcare volunteer, Una uses leadership to strengthen inclusion and human connection across her community.
Jack Mansour
Human Kinetics Student | Student-Athlete | Researcher | Community Leader
Jack Mansour is a Human Kinetics student at the University of Ottawa, captain of the Gee-Gees Men’s Soccer Team, student mentor, and exercise science researcher. After overcoming significant health
challenges, Jack discovered distance running and went on to complete three marathons. He founded a community run club with more than 100 members and volunteers with Achilles Ottawa, alongside numerous healthcare, mentorship, and community initiatives.
Shreya Pal
Biomedical Sciences Student | Healthcare Advocate | Researcher | Youth Leader
Shreya Pal is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa passionate about women’s health, reproductive justice, research, and youth empowerment. Her work spans reproductive healthcare support, CHEO clinical research, emergency medical response, STEM education, and youth programming. A longtime Bharatanatyam dancer and artist, Shreya also combines science and creativity to advance representation and accessible healthcare.
Laila Burns
Engineering Student | Entrepreneur | Accessibility Innovator | Community Leader
Laila Burns is a University of Ottawa engineering student and co-founder of Sielo Robotics, which develops AI-powered wheelchair-mounted robotic arms for people with severe mobility limitations. She has helped grow the company into a 10-person team while securing significant research funding and investment support. Through engineering, entrepreneurship, and user-centred design, Laila is developing technology that advances independence and accessibility.
Aryan Jain
Computer Engineering Student | Entrepreneur | Youth Leader | Community Innovator
Aryan Jain is a Computer Engineering student at Carleton University whose leadership spans technology, entrepreneurship, education, and service. After overcoming stuttering, he became a four-time Ottawa Regional Spelling Bee champion and later co-founded Spelling Bee Ottawa, reaching more than 100 students. He is also the founder of a content creation page where he documents different parts of his life, as well as a marketing agency he is currently building from the ground up. Along with this, he is an award-winning school crossing guard.
Kayden Williamson
Youth Leader | Accessibility Advocate | Recreation Leader | Community Volunteer
Kayden Williamson is an Ottawa high school student and accessibility advocate who has contributed more than 200 volunteer hours supporting children and youth with visual impairments through
the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. He also works in inclusive recreation programming with Dovercourt Recreation Association and has contributed to disability advocacy and educational initiatives. Drawing from his own lived experience with visual impairment, Kayden is committed to helping young people build confidence and independence.
Lauren Jessica Rasalingam
Future Nursing Student | Inclusion Advocate | Youth Leader | Community Volunteer
Lauren Jessica Rasalingam is a graduating Ottawa high school student and future Queen’s University nursing student dedicated to compassionate care and inclusion. She has extensive experience supporting children with exceptionalities and has organized six fundraisers for Harmony House, raising more than $12,500. Through disability support, healthcare experiences, and advocacy addressing intimate partner violence, Lauren turns empathy into meaningful community action.
Charif Bahloul
Biomedical Science Student | Computational Biology Researcher | Innovator | Community Mentor
Charif Bahloul is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa combining academic excellence with computational biology, artificial intelligence, and cancer research. In the Mer Lab, he led development of PIGE, a model designed to improve understanding of tumour drug response. Beyond research, Charif volunteers at CHEO and Sadaqah Food Bank, tutors students, and creates technology that makes complex information more accessible.
Victoria Abbas Philip
Youth Leader | Community Advocate | Athlete | Inclusion Champion
Victoria Abbas Philip is a student at St. Pius X High School whose leadership centres on inclusion, mentorship, and community. As President of her school’s Black Student Association and a GLOW Lead, she creates opportunities for young people to celebrate their identities and build confidence. Her leadership also extends to BGC Ottawa, the Youth in Policing Initiative, Leaders 4 Life, and competitive athletics.
Elinam Havor-Nutogo
International Business Graduate | Student Leader | Community Advocate | Digital Storyteller
Elinam Havor-Nutogo is a Carleton University International Business graduate whose leadership focuses on cross-cultural connection, inclusion, and mentorship. As President of the Sprott International Business Association, she led cultural, professional, and community initiatives while supporting students through mentorship and accessibility programs. She also uses digital storytelling to make university and international experiences more accessible to young people.
Marwan Bakr
Biopharmaceutical Science Graduate | Cardiac Researcher | Health Equity Advocate | Future Physician
Marwan Bakr is a graduating University of Ottawa Biopharmaceutical Science student, Heart Institute researcher, and incoming medical student. His work combines cardiovascular genetics, patient advocacy, and health equity, including initiatives addressing language barriers in healthcare and transitions from pediatric to adult cardiac care. He also created CCS Atlas, an interactive platform designed to make complex cardiac genetic information more accessible.
Sierra Conboy
Inuit Culinary Leader | Cultural Educator | Food Sovereignty Advocate | Community Leader
Sierra Conboy is an Inuk youth, Algonquin College student, and culinary leader using food to advance Inuit culture, education, and food sovereignty. Through work with the Inuuqatigiit Inuit Centre and initiatives such as Taste of the Arctic, Sierra shares traditional food knowledge and creates opportunities for younger Inuit youth to connect with their culture. Her leadership combines culinary innovation with cultural revitalization and reconciliation.
Jobran Abu-Hammad
Computer Science Graduate | Future Law Student | Social Entrepreneur | Community Leader
Jobran Abu-Hammad is a Carleton University Computer Science graduate and incoming McGill University law student whose leadership connects technology, law, and community service. As Founder and Executive Director of Future Leaders of Canada, he has expanded mentorship, tutoring, and career- development opportunities for underrepresented youth. He has also led technology-for-social-good initiatives and supported civic dialogue and community outreach across Ottawa.
Andrew Wang
Student Researcher | Healthcare Advocate | Youth Sports Leader | Community Innovator
Andrew Wang is a student researcher, athlete, and community leader passionate about healthcare and inclusion. He founded Actions of Change, bringing interactive programming to children in healthcare settings, and Self-Driven Hockey, which has supported more than 200 young athletes. His work also includes neuroscience research, machine learning, and healthcare service initiatives supporting underserved communities.
Might Gouta
Student Leader | Mental Health Advocate | Environmentalist | Public Speaker
Might Gouta is a History and Philosophy of Science and Technology student whose leadership focuses on hope, mental health, environmentalism, and youth empowerment. After overcoming significant personal and financial adversity, he became a valedictorian and went on to contribute to organizations
including The Starfish Canada and Kids Help Phone. A TEDxUofT speaker with more than 20 speaking engagements across Canada, Might uses his voice to inspire resilience and social change.
Safia Albadry
Health Sciences Student | Women’s Health Advocate | Healthcare Volunteer | Community Leader
Safia Albadry is a University of Ottawa Health Sciences student and aspiring physician passionate about healthcare, women’s empowerment, and wellness. She has volunteered extensively at CHEO and gained clinical experience in Canada and Kenya. Safia founded HerDefenseUO, focused on women’s safety and empowerment, and The Golden Synapse, a neuroscience and mental health advocacy platform that has raised funds for healthcare-related causes.
Kaarhunyaa Sivapalan
Health Sciences Student | Youth Advocate | Community Leader | Healthcare Innovator
Kaarhunyaa Sivapalan is a Queen’s University Health Sciences student whose leadership combines advocacy, healthcare, and community service. As the former Student Trustee for the Ottawa Catholic School Board, she represented more than 50,000 students. She has also presented Pink Tax research at
the United Nations, supported humanitarian and healthcare initiatives internationally, and is developing an AI-powered health literacy platform for women and girls.
Annika Jacque
Youth Advocate | Indigenous Community Leader | Performing Artist | Humanitarian
Annika Jacque is an Ottawa student, performing artist, and humanitarian whose leadership combines Indigenous identity, advocacy, and the arts. An award-winning performer, she uses theatre and poetry to amplify Indigenous stories and important social issues. Annika also led her school’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, organizing fundraising, awareness, and community-support initiatives that created lasting resources for students and families.
Avery Laprade
Public Relations Student | Community Leader | Fundraiser | Broadcaster
Avery Laprade is an Algonquin College Public Relations student, broadcaster, fundraiser, and community leader passionate about using storytelling and service to strengthen Ottawa. With more than 1,200 volunteer hours and over $260,000 raised for charitable causes, Avery has supported organizations across the city while inspiring other young people to get involved. She hosts The Avery Laprade Show on CKDJ FM 107.9 and AIR AM 1700, using her platform to spotlight local charities, community issues, and opportunities to make a difference. Avery has also led major youth fundraising initiatives, including helping grow her high school’s Relay for Life participation from 200 to 330 students and raising more than $81,000 in one year.
You’re invited to the celebration!
Join us as Ottawa comes together to celebrate an extraordinary new class of young leaders at the 2026 21 Under 21 Youth Awards Gala on November 10th, 2026, from 5:00–10:00 PM at the Canadian Museum of History.
Be part of an evening that brings youth, families, community leaders, businesses and organizations from across the city together to recognize the achievements and potential of Ottawa’s next generation.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Discounted youth tickets are also available by contacting info@youthottawa.ca.
Come celebrate the 21—and the city behind them
Thank you to our sponsors!
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