YOUNG ADULT AWARD
For leading by example and being an inspiring role model to their peers.
Award Presented By: Robin & PJ, Country 106.7
YOUNG ADULT NOMINEES
Rose Aydin
Rose is a third-year Health Sciences student at the University of Waterloo. She is the founder and president of the Kidney Awareness Association Club, supporting the Kidney Foundation and raising awareness about kidney-related health issues. Rose is a mentor at the Grand River Friendship Society, helping young girls from immigrant families with
academics and cultural adjustment. She also represents her community through the Kindred Credit Union Centre for
Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College, fostering dialogue and collaboration for peace. Rose is a
passionate advocate, leader, and role model dedicated to building inclusive and supportive communities.
Geri Mae Balbin
Geri is a 23-year-old student who is currently finishing her degree in Finance, and she is truly an inspiring individual. In addition to her studies, she works at Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty as a marketing assistant, where she applies her skills and creativity to support the company’s success. Despite her busy schedule, Geri consistently demonstrates an incredible work ethic and a deep commitment to everything she does.
Zoe Channer
Zoe Channer is the Events Manager at Grand River Hospital Foundation, is nominated for Young Adult. At just 22 years of age, she's had a lifelong passion for philanthropy and events. Zoe manages over 300 annual events and collaborates on impactful volunteer programs. Notably, she's contributed to raising over $4 million for pediatric cancer care via Scotland's Yard. Her ability to connect people and drive engagement has significantly increased donor support and awareness, ensuring vital healthcare resources for the Waterloo Region.
Francesca Girmenia
Francesca is an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo (UW), in her third year of the Honours Environment and Business Co-op program. As part of the co-op program, she was a Tiny Home Project Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin (HMD). Francesca is also an active member of her university community, taking on a volunteer role as an Environment Ambassador, where she acts as a role model to prospective students. Additionally, she was the co-lead of UW’s Climate Justice Ecosystem, a coalition of peers dedicated to creating a sustainable and equitable campus.
Allison-Hannah Berwick Hernandez
Allison - Hannah Berwick Hernandez is a grade 12 student at Resurrection Catholic Secondary School (RCSS) in
Kitchener. She is Latina of Colombian descent; working fluently in two languages and learning a few more, including ASL. Allison is a strong student who consistently earns Honour Roll status. This is only a small piece of who Allison is though. She is a caring sister, a loving daughter, a fierce ally, and a passionate advocate for societal change. Her nomination for the Young Adult category is a result of her tireless dedication to the community as a promoter of social justice.
Aasha Khan
Aasha Khan, a Grade 11 student from Kitchener-Waterloo, is a passionate advocate for social justice and AI literacy.
She serves as the Co-Chair of the United Nations Foundation Girl Up Global Teen Advisory Board and is the founder of AskEve, a conversational AI that provides safe, anonymous support for discussions around menstruation. Aasha delivered a TED Talk titled "How to Have a Constructive Conversation," which focuses on bridging divides through
meaningful dialogue. She additionally founded Youth Tech Labs, a youth-led initiative that equips the next generation with hands-on AI education, empowering them to lead in an increasingly digital world.
Sarah Larochelle
Sarah is a fourth-year Honours Kinesiology student at the University of Waterloo, minoring in Medical Physiology. She has gained experience through co-op placements and volunteering in rehabilitation, including long-term care, stroke recovery, and physiotherapy. These experiences have solidified her passion for the field, inspiring her to pursue a master’s degree in Physiotherapy and apply her knowledge to help the community. Having grown up just outside of Wellesley, she is deeply connected to her community and hopes to continue using her skills to support those in need.
Madison Letizi
Madison Letizi is a compassionate young leader from Kitchener who has turned personal challenges into powerful community impact. At just 17, Maddy supports children with critical illnesses through her annual fundraiser, Ice Cream for Breakfast, which raises funds to grant their wishes. Born with Muscular Dystrophy and Scoliosis, Madison received a lifechanging
wish from Make-A-Wish Canada in 2015 after her third of eight spine surgeries. Graduating high school this
year, Maddy plans to pursue post-secondary studies, using her lived experience to meaningfully support other children
and to give back in honour of the medical professionals who transformed her journey.
Miranda Moffat
Miranda Moffat is a dedicated Grade 12 student at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, known for her caring attitude and commitment to fairness. She consistently ensures everyone feels heard and respected. An accomplished artist, Miranda channels her creativity into meaningful work to connect with others. Her passion for art matches her strong academic pursuits, where she demonstrates intellectual curiosity, and a relentless drive for growth and excellence. Miranda’s balanced approach creatively and academically reflect her determination to make a positive impact. Miranda's continued to show commitment to volunteerism and initiatives in school, such as successfully running her schools food drive. Miranda received the 2025 Leaders of Tomorrow Award from the GKWCC.
Katia Mueller
Kat is a young entrepreneur, starting her own business at the age of 13, and has continued to flourish. Her business,
Flow, has had international reviews by influencers, creating a brand which started out as hand made jewellery sold at
summer markets to now an online presence, drop ship program, and part of the young entrepreneur booths at St. Jacobs Market and store presence in our cottage community at Lake Huron. She has done well for herself, and hopes to continue her company while attending her 1st year in university in the fall.
Haniya Nazir
Haniya Nazir is a grade 12 student at Preston High School. Through her years at our school, we have been able to
witness the development of this strong, fierce advocate of social justice and a leader who creates programs and spaces that allow for youth voices to be heard. Haniya comes from an immigrant family and demonstrates the values of her family, as someone who works hard, sees possibilities and contributes to her community. She has gone through two diagnoses of cancer, including a current recurrence, and yet is somehow able to channel her difficult experiences into uplifting others.
Jessica Quinn
Jessica Quinn is a dedicated leader, advocate, and community builder from Waterloo region. Through her work, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of others, particularly in the areas of sport development, inclusivity, and youth empowerment. After experiencing the devastating loss of her Dad in 2023, Jessica went on to make the historic, first ever Team Canada Woman’s Box Lacrosse team. She also managed to maintain exceptional grades in her Honours Legal Studies program at the University of Waterloo simultaneously. Jess embodies compassion and resilience, leveraging her personal experiences to inspire and motivate those around her.
Shreya Rao
Shreya Rao is an advocate for BIPOC youth in sustainability and social impact. As the founder of her start up, Planted,
she is building a platform that connects young people with career development opportunities rooted in community and purpose. Passionate about ensuring youth voices are heard, Shreya has led initiatives with Plan International, Care Canada, and the United Nations Association of Canada. She was named the youngest Sustainability Commissioner and Thrift Store Manager at the University of Waterloo. From securing funding for youth changemakers to pushing for equity in corporate spaces, Shreya is shaping a future where all young leaders thrive.
Sloan Stark
Sloan is a student, leader, and passionate community builder. She is completing a BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and is a Resurrection Catholic Secondary School graduate. Sloan is deeply involved in the local figure skating community. She began as an athlete and now coaches to inspire the next generation. Her determination led her to represent Canada internationally. Sloan has earned multiple honour roll distinctions and university awards. She actively gives back as a varsity student trainer, off-campus community leader, and volunteer at WRHN—all while cherishing time with her family and her dog, Willow.
Kennedy Taylor
Kennedy is an influential young leader and a dedicated student at the University of Waterloo, studying Legal Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies. As the 2024 Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Arts, she exemplifies leadership and academic excellence. Beyond academics, Kennedy actively contributes to her community using her skills to mentor peers and promote social justice. Her commitment to leadership and helping others makes her a role model and a beacon of positive influence among young adults.
Yuxin (Linda) Wang
Linda is a Computer Science student at University of Waterloo, Chair of Student & Postdoc Advisory Committee, and board member at CS-Can|INFO-Can. An award-winning scholar, she has earned over $180,000 in scholarships. Linda has completed internships at Broadridge and RBC as a Software Engineer, Data Engineer, and Solution Architect, creating innovative solutions with a pending patent. She has held research positions at the Universities of Toronto and Waterloo, publishing a machine learning research paper at ACM e-Energy. Linda was named 2024 Co-op Student of the Year at University of Waterloo and will be joining Meta as a Data Engineer this summer.
Elaine Xiao
Elaine Xiao is a Diana Award recipient, a Grade 12 student, and the founder of Mism—a community-sharing platform
advancing sustainability and waste-reduction. Her efforts have mobilized over 2,000 youth and sparked community
contributions and item recycling valued at over $13,000. Embodying how no age is too young to lead, Elaine also founded HiEddy.ai—a chatbot serving as a compassionate voice for those experiencing body image issues or eating disorders; enhanced scholarship through publishing research on psychology and AI in the International Conference on Computing and Data Science; and championed student enrichment as the Co-President of three clubs.
