51st annual Civic & Community Awards finalists revealed
The top three finalists for each of the 51st annual Civic & Community Award categories were announced today, highlighting outstanding achievements made by Kelowna’s volunteers, artists, coaches, athletes, businesses, and non-profit organizations in 2025.
“For more than five decades, the Civic & Community Awards shine a light on the people and organizations who go above and beyond for our community,” says Chris Babcock, Event Development Manager. “This year’s finalists represent the dedication, talent and generosity that help make Kelowna a great place to live, and we’re proud to recognize their contributions as part of the 51st annual Civic & Community Awards.”
This year’s Civic & Community Awards Celebration will be held Monday, May 4 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
51st Annual Civic & Community Award finalists:
Honour in the Arts
supported by artsco
- Cole Mash
- Robert Payne
- Valaura Jones
Teen Honour in the Arts
sponsored by UBC Okanagan
- Payton Bischoff
- Tim Derochie
- Julian Cucinschi
Bob Giordano Memorial Award – Coach/Sport Administrator of the Year
- Ashlee Davison
- Clay Stothers
- Daryle Assman
Bryan Couling Memorial Award – Athletic Team of the Year
sponsored by SK Architect
- UBCO Heat – Women’s Softball
- Okanagan FC – U16 Boys Soccer
- Kelowna Minor Hockey Rockets - U11B Hockey
Female Athlete of the Year
sponsored by The Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund
- Kassidy Rutledge
- Lily Stroda
- Julia Alexander-Carew
Male Athlete of the Year
sponsored by The Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund
- Finley Cashin
- Matthys Weststrate
- Paul Atkin
Augie Ciancone Memorial Award – Young Female Athlete of the Year presented by the Okanagan Central Schools Athletic Association
- Karina Haggerty
- Layna Haggerty
- Alexa Latt
Augie Ciancone Memorial Award – Young Male Athlete of the Year presented by the Okanagan Central Schools Athletic Association
- Hayden Bosma
- Finley Stewart
- Isaac Hamilton
Champion for the Environment
sponsored by Peter’s Your Independent Grocer
- Kelowna Chinese United Association
- Energy Economics
- Tessa Terbasket
Corporate Community of the Year Award
sponsored by KCR
- Wilden Group
- Troika
- Urban Systems Ltd.
Central Okanagan Foundation – Volunteer Organization of the Year
sponsored by Central Okanagan Foundation
- Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society
- Central Okanagan Search and Rescue
- Friends of the South Slopes Society
Young Citizen of the Year
sponsored by Crowe Mackay
- Dilynn Scott
- Mateo Porter-Partida
- Nadifa Omar
Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award - Citizen of the Year
sponsored by Fortis BC
- Paul Clark
- Gurleen Gang
- Barb Egan
All Young Citizen of the Year finalists will receive funding towards their post-secondary education through the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship. The award winner will receive $2,000 while each of the two remaining finalists will receive $1,000.
The recipient of the Teen Honour in the Arts award will receive a $500 entrance scholarship to UBC Okanagan, sponsored by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.
In addition, the recipient for the Central Okanagan Foundation’s Volunteer Organization of the Year will receive a $3,000 donation from the Central Okanagan Foundation.
For more information about the Civic & Community Awards and to read our finalists bios, visit kelowna.ca/civicawards.
