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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 12 ,2 02 2 | 22 ac.shcirteid ELLIVKAO-31#TINU.DRSREEPS0621 YADAIROTCIVSIHT DNEKEEWRUOYKCABEKAT Kusha Shirani feels more connected to the world around him through his community involvement, and believes he is playing a small role in making the world a better place. "For me, witnessing the impact of the work I do in the community is very satis- fying, and the great joy I feel in serving people in need in- spires me to continue being involved," said Kusha, recip- ient of the Ontario Junior Citizen Award, presented by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association. "It's great to do something for yourself, but it is much more meaningful when you do something for other peo- ple, seeing their faces light up and the impact you made for them and their lives." Kusha's compassion for others began at age nine when he discovered money was needed to research childhood cancer. With the help of his teacher, the Grade 4 student began mak- ing and selling comic books, a project which eventually involved the entire school and raised $2,000. Having just turned 17, the Abbey Park High School student has continued his volunteerism both in the community and at his school. During the pandemic, he organized food and winter clothing drives as well as re- cruited some friends to launch a student engage- ment club called Connect which supported youth mental health and well-be- ing. He became a Halton Dis- trict School Board student senator, instigated a new chapter of Tech under 20 at his school and last year was chosen as a speaker for Hal- ton Youth Ted Talk. He has been a park am- bassador in Oakville for six years, volunteered at his in- ternational language school and as a mentor through Oakville's Big Brother, Big Sister tutoring program, as well as been a player, referee and now a volunteer coach for the Oakville Soccer Club. For the past two years, he has volunteered with the Oakville police youth advi- sory committee, where he acts as a youth ambassador to assist in the development of equity, diversity and in- clusion initiatives and youth development and leadership. For his tremendous com- munity service, Kusha has been the recipient of the Town of Oakville Youth Spirit Award and the Tom McNaught Youth Apprecia- tion Award (Oakville Opti- mist Club), a bronze and sil- ver Duke of Edinburgh In- ternational Award, as well as other awards, grants and scholarships. "I have been very fortu- nate for the opportunities I have been provided, being surrounded by a lot of love and support in my life. I be- lieve that through volun- teering, it was my turn to give back to the community, give to the less fortunate around me, and make a real impact." Kusha is "very grateful" to be recognized for his vol- unteer service and said it's an honour to receive the Ju- nior Citizen Award. "I want to thank the On- tario Community Newspa- pers Association for select- ing me, and I would also like to thank those individuals out there trying to make a difference in their commu- nity and trying to make a positive change. Regardless of a title or award, they are all superstars." DRIVEN TO HELP HIS COMMUNITY NEWS LOCAL TEEN RECEIVES ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARD Kusha Shirani accepts the 2021 Ontario Junior Citizen award from Metroland Media news editor Steve LeBlanc. Graham Paine/Metroland "I believe that through volunteering, it was my turn to give back to the community." - Kusha Shirani