City of Brantford recognizes Youth Excellence and Future Leaders during Youth Week award ceremony

BRANTFORD, ON – On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the City of Brantford and Brantford Youth Council concluded National Youth Week with an award ceremony at the Rope Factory Event Hall. The event celebrated future leaders from the City’s Youth Excellence Awards and Youth Leadership Development Program, which supports high school aged leaders in planning community impact projects and providing input about the needs and experiences of local youth.

A total of 17 Brantford youth were honoured for their outstanding contributions to well-being, growth, diversity and inclusion, community, leadership and impact. Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and Councillors Mandy Samwell and Gino Caputo were in attendance to support local youth serving organizations and present the 2025 Youth Excellence Award certificates. Award winners included:

• Acquiane Blake
• Alae Mebrouk
• Avery Stamer
• Brayden Barnett
• Frankie Costa
• Jaxon Kazakevicius
• Kaitlynn Sales
• Kassandra Lalonde
• Liam McDermott
• Madison Nantais
• Riley Corbett
• Riya Lalji
• Ruth Loker
• Selene Crick
• Serenity Anwhatin
• Spencer Ward
• Tommy Symons

“The Brantford Youth Excellence Awards is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals under the age of 25 in our community," said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. "This year we awarded youth for their efforts in facilitating peer groups, volunteering, raising awareness for social causes, and for the incredible progress they have made in personal development. I am proud to recognize the hard work of our future leaders.”

Certificates were also presented to graduates of the City of Brantford’s 2025 Youth Leadership Development Program, which is a two-level, leader-in-training program that focuses on enhancing team building, effective communication, adapting leadership styles, and how to motivate and inspire people.

Attendees enjoyed visual art displays from local youth artists Iris Jeong, Ellie Jeong, Eli Nanticoke, and Yatawee Aniwattanakun and performances by local youth musicians Kaylynn Spencer, Aaron Sopko, and Hahsdotrewi Bomberry.

The City of Brantford is designated as a Youth Friendly City and initiatives such as the Youth Excellence Awards are a part of the City's Empowering Youth Strategy. The Empowering Youth Strategy was developed through consultation with local youth groups, youth advocates, and youth-serving agencies to empower local youth and support a youth-friendly community. Visit brantford.ca/YOUth for more information about the actions of the Empowering Youth Strategy, and recreational opportunities available for local youth.
About Brantford Youth Council

The Brantford Youth Council (BYC) is a group of dedicated youth volunteers ages 13 to 18 that help guide and support the City’s Empowering Youth Strategy, as well as seek out opportunities to develop projects they are passionate about. Youth interested in joining the Brantford Youth Council can submit a Brantford Youth Council application form or register for the City’s Youth Leadership Development Programs.

Photo Caption:  Recipients of the City of Brantford’s Youth Excellence Awards and Youth Leadership Development Program pose for a congratulatory photo with Mayor Kevin Davis and Councillor Mandy Samwell during the 2025 Brantford Youth Excellence Awards at the Rope Factory on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

(from left to right: Madison Nantais, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Jaxon Kazakevicius, Zoe O’Keefe, Selene Crick, Lilah Hewitt-Hussey, Avery Stamer, Riya Lalji, Dylan Mohr-White, Ellie Jeong, Emily McKnight, Iris Jeong, Jacob Tidey, Mayor Kevin Davis, Arbor Doucette, Frankie Costa and Hahsdotrewi Bomberry)

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Media Contact:
Kelly Page | Communications Advisor, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5779 | kpage@brantford.ca