{"id":5530,"date":"2020-08-28T13:04:45","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T13:04:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/?p=5530"},"modified":"2026-08-28T15:41:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T15:41:25","slug":"celebrating-the-21-under-21-award-winners-meet-the-young-leaders-shaping-ottawa-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/celebrating-the-21-under-21-award-winners-meet-the-young-leaders-shaping-ottawa-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the 2026 21 Under 21 Award Winners: Meet the Young Leaders Shaping Ottawa"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5530\" class=\"elementor elementor-5530\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-54d6fb11 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"54d6fb11\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;pyramids&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveaspectratio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M761.9,44.1L643.1,27.2L333.8,98L0,3.8V0l1000,0v3.9\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f2acad2\" data-id=\"2f2acad2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57c831f6 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"57c831f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Presenting the 21 Under 21 Award Recipients<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8344a8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8344a8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>\u2606 2026 Edition \u2606<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4584d6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4584d6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-CA\/ticketing\/2026-youth-ottawa-21-under-21-youth-awards\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"746\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-2048x746.png\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048 wp-image-5558\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-2048x746.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-300x109.png 300w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-1024x373.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-768x280.png 768w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-1536x560.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/FINAL_BANNER-18x7.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-249ed41c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"249ed41c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet the Young Leaders Shaping Our City!<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aef9a6a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aef9a6a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveaspectratio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-32faf6b\" data-id=\"32faf6b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c86da8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c86da8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>For nearly three decades, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>Youth Ottawa\u2019s 21 Under 21 Awards<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p><p>This year\u2019s recipients were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>nominated by the community<\/strong><\/a>\u2014including 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>2026 21 Under 21 cohort<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p><p>Now, Ottawa will come together to celebrate them.<\/p><p>La fondation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>2026 21 Under 21 Awards Gala<\/strong><\/a> 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&#8217;s youth; including our school boards, hospitals, non-profits and governments.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will join us to deliver opening remarks<\/strong><\/a> as we recognize this year&#8217;s recipients and celebrate what becomes possible when a city sees, supports and invests in its young people.<\/p><p>Most importantly, the evening belongs to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>21 remarkable young people being honoured this year.<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>Meet the 2026 21 Under 21 Award recipients below.<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>discounted tickets for youth<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/events\/21-jeunes-de-moins-de-21-ans\/\"><strong>Join us and help Ottawa celebrate its next generation.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b5c05b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b5c05b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-CA\/ticketing\/2026-youth-ottawa-21-under-21-youth-awards\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-1536x514.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-5537\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-1536x514.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-1024x343.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-768x257.png 768w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-2048x686.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21U21Header2026-Medium-Banner-US-Landscape-18x6.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fafb1d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fafb1d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Nick Cholmsky<\/strong><\/h1><h1><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><b>Honours Psychology Student | TEDx Speaker | Mental Health Advocate | Researcher<\/b><\/span><\/h1><div><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Sami Mufti<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Student Leader | Community Volunteer | STEM Advocate | Aspiring Surgeon<\/strong><\/p><p>Sami Mufti is a student leader and aspiring surgeon committed to inclusion, service, and innovation. As Founder and President of his school\u2019s 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\u2019s CEO for a Day with Ottawa Community Housing, and excelling in STEM and international poetry competitions.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Una Bilcar<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Biomedical Sciences Student | Healthcare Advocate | Researcher | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Jack Mansour<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Human Kinetics Student | Student-Athlete | Researcher | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>Jack Mansour is a Human Kinetics student at the University of Ottawa, captain of the Gee-Gees Men\u2019s Soccer Team, student mentor, and exercise science researcher. After overcoming significant health<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Shreya Pal<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Biomedical Sciences Student | Healthcare Advocate | Researcher | Youth Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>Shreya Pal is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa passionate about women\u2019s 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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Laila Burns<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Engineering Student | Entrepreneur | Accessibility Innovator | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Aryan Jain<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Computer Engineering Student | Entrepreneur | Youth Leader | Community Innovator<\/strong><\/p><p>Aryan Jain is a Computer Engineering student at Carleton University whose leadership spans technology, entrepreneurship, education, and service. After overcoming severe 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 an AI automation agency, an Air Cadet leader, and an award- winning school crossing guard.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Kayden Williamson<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 2\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Youth Leader | Accessibility Advocate | Recreation Leader | Community Volunteer<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p>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<br \/>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Lauren Jessica Rasalingam<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Future Nursing Student | Inclusion Advocate | Youth Leader | Community Volunteer<\/strong><\/p><p>Lauren Jessica Rasalingam is a graduating Ottawa high school student and future Queen\u2019s 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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Charif Bahloul<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Biomedical Science Student | Computational Biology Researcher | Innovator | Community Mentor<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Victoria Abbas Philip<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Youth Leader | Community Advocate | Athlete | Inclusion Champion<\/strong><\/p><p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Elinam Havor-Nutogo<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>International Business Graduate | Student Leader | Community Advocate | Digital Storyteller<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Marwan Bakr<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Biopharmaceutical Science Graduate | Cardiac Researcher | Health Equity Advocate | Future Physician<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Sierra Conboy<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Inuit Culinary Leader | Cultural Educator | Food Sovereignty Advocate | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Jobran Abu-Hammad<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 4\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Computer Science Graduate | Future Law Student | Social Entrepreneur | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Andrew Wang<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Student Researcher | Healthcare Advocate | Youth Sports Leader | Community Innovator<\/strong><\/p><p>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Might Gouta<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Student Leader | Mental Health Advocate | Environmentalist | Public Speaker<\/strong><\/p><p>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<br \/>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.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Safia Albadry<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Health Sciences Student | Women\u2019s Health Advocate | Healthcare Volunteer | Community Leader<\/strong><\/p><p>Safia Albadry is a University of Ottawa Health Sciences student and aspiring physician passionate about healthcare, women\u2019s empowerment, and wellness. She has volunteered extensively at CHEO and gained clinical experience in Canada and Kenya. Safia founded HerDefenseUO, focused on women\u2019s safety and empowerment, and The Golden Synapse, a neuroscience and mental health advocacy platform that has raised funds for healthcare-related causes.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Kaarhunyaa Sivapalan<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 5\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Health Sciences Student | Youth Advocate | Community Leader | Healthcare Innovator<\/strong><\/p><p>Kaarhunyaa Sivapalan is a Queen\u2019s 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<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 6\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p>the United Nations, supported humanitarian and healthcare initiatives internationally, and is developing an AI-powered health literacy platform for women and girls.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 6\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Annika Jacque<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 6\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Youth Advocate | Indigenous Community Leader | Performing Artist | Humanitarian<\/strong><\/p><p>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\u2019s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, organizing fundraising, awareness, and community-support initiatives that created lasting resources for students and families.<\/p><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 6\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><h1><strong>Blessing Williams<\/strong><\/h1><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 6\"><div class=\"section\"><div class=\"layoutArea\"><div class=\"column\"><p><strong>Student Leader | Education Equity Advocate | Social Innovator | Youth Entrepreneur<\/strong><\/p><p>Blessing Williams is an IB student and youth advocate committed to making education more accessible regardless of financial circumstances. She founded Project Bloom, which provides free STEM tutoring, workshops, and educational resources and has grown into an international youth-led initiative. Blessing also serves on the Ottawa Youth Council, provides free tutoring in her community, and uses design thinking and digital storytelling to expand educational opportunities for young people.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9709f35 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9709f35\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;pyramids&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom_negative&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveaspectratio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M761.9,40.6L643.1,24L333.9,93.8L0.1,1H0v99h1000V1\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a3ed931\" data-id=\"a3ed931\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fead1bf elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fead1bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>Vous \u00eates invit\u00e9s \u00e0 la c\u00e9l\u00e9bration!<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Join us as Ottawa comes together to celebrate an extraordinary new class of young leaders at the <strong>2026 21 Under 21 Youth Awards Gala<\/strong> on <strong>November 10th, 2026<\/strong>, from <strong>5:00\u201310:00 PM<\/strong> at the <strong>Mus\u00e9e canadien de l\u2019histoire.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">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\u2019s next generation.<\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now.<\/strong> Discounted youth tickets are also available by contacting <a href=\"mailto:info@youthottawa.ca\"><strong>info@youthottawa.ca<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>Come celebrate the 21\u2014and the city behind them<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0662d1 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e0662d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-CA\/ticketing\/2026-youth-ottawa-21-under-21-youth-awards\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-lg\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Achetez maintenant!<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cfe0c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4cfe0c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e2a826e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e2a826e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17a83efc\" data-id=\"17a83efc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38572530 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38572530\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Merci \u00e0 nos commanditaire!<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6bea409 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6bea409\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-df6bee9\" data-id=\"df6bee9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23ad458 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"23ad458\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a8d069 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a8d069\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d0f7974\" data-id=\"d0f7974\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-827378a elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"827378a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_scroll&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;dots&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper-container\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-full-1.png\" alt=\"logo-full.png\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-ENBRIDGE-1.png\" alt=\"logo-ENBRIDGE.png\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-oakwo.png\" alt=\"logo-oakwo\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-obj1.png\" alt=\"logo-obj1\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-carl-1-1.png\" alt=\"logo-carl-1.png\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/logo-uott.png\" alt=\"logo-uott\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e25291e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e25291e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introducing the 21 remarkable youth selected for this year\u2019s 21 Under 21 Awards. These inspiring individuals, are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. Learn more about their personal journeys. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[45,51,52,53,35,38],"class_list":["post-5530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-en","tag-awards","tag-celebrating","tag-empowerment","tag-gala","tag-ottawa","tag-youth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5530"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5563,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5530\/revisions\/5563"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthottawa.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}