Young Citizen of the Year Award

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2022 Young Citizen of the Year Award Recipient

Liam Sisson

Liam Sisson is a busy young man, juggling and excelling at school, work, volunteering, and music studies. For the past five years, Liam has overseen finances, scheduling, marketing, training, and sourcing wholesale suppliers for OKM’s Mission Roots Cafe. In 2022, he was chosen as one of three Event Chairs for the OKM Relay for Life, helping raise over $35,000 for cancer research. Liam is also the co-President of Student Council and one of three chairs of Special Events for Grad Council. Alongside all of this, Liam works as a tour guide and beekeeper and is an accomplished musician. 

Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund

The successful finalists will receive funding towards their post secondary goals through the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship.

Sponsored by:


Award Criteria

  • Nominees must be between the ages of 13 and 19 as of December 31, 2023.
  • Awarded to a young citizen, in recognition of their outstanding voluntary contributions to the well-being of the city of Kelowna. Contributions may be related to recreation, the arts, education, humanities, community service, and/or medical/business/commerce fields.
  • Selections are based on the nominee's achievements/contributions for the year 2023. Past information may be included, but should primarily be regarding the current award year.
  • Finalist selections are based solely on the information in the completed nomination package.

Nominations for the 49th annual Civic & Community Awards are now open until February 9, 2024. Please go to the online nomination form to submit a nomination.

Past Recipients of Young Citizen of the Year Award

Past recipients of the Young Citizen of the Year Award

  • 2021 - David Withler
  • 2020 - Tian Whitehead
  • 2019 - Abby Kiehlbauch

Prior to 2019, the Young Citizen of the Year category included both male/female categories. 

Past recipients of the Young Female of the Year Award

  • 2018 - Keneisha Charles
  • 2017 - Ashley Robinson
  • 2016 - Gabriela Rubio
  • 2015 - Maya Gay
  • 2014 - Thish Rajapakshe
  • 2013 - Pauline Schrott
  • 2012 - Kelsi Taron
  • 2011 - Tanveer Gill
  • 2010 - Danielle Heinzlemann
  • 2009 - Jessica LeNoble
  • 2008 - Sasha Gronsdahl
  • 2007 - Brianna Beaudry
  • 2006 - Caitlyn Slavik
  • 2005 - Christa Hoy
  • 2004 - Kelly O'Connor
  • 2003 - Rachel Leier
  • 2002 - Teryn Buna
  • 2001 - Brenna Black
  • 2000 - Jacqueline Collins
  • 1999 - Sarah Carson 
  • 1998 - Lauren Telford
  • 1997 - Lindsay Reiger
  • 1996 - Amber Tronnes
  • 1995 - Trina Dean
  • 1994 - Melanie Mitchell
  • 1993 - Paris All Gfeller
  • 1992 - Lita Ludwig / Nicola Maria Reiger
  • 1988 - Leah Westereng
  • 1987 - Mairi Warhurst 

Past recipients of the Young Male of the Year Award

  • 2018 - Matthew Richardson
  • 2017 - Finnegan Pihl
  • 2016 - Andrew Kates
  • 2015 - Stuart Isherwood
  • 2014 - Nikolai Lesack
  • 2013 - Jonathon Charlton
  • 2012 - Eli McAlpine
  • 2011 - Terry Lee
  • 2010 - Peter Davidson
  • 2009 - Cody O'Neil
  • 2008 - KJ Hansen
  • 2007 - Ori Powell
  • 2006 - Kevin Craig
  • 2005 - Chris Hall
  • 2004 - Aaron Erhardt
  • 2002 - Daniel Mandryk
  • 2001 - Mark Chambers
  • 2000 - Trevor Roy
  • 1999 - Ben Laurie
  • 1998 - Jeremy Pennington
  • 1997 - Mike Wipf
  • 1996 - Chris Biro / Cam Noble
  • 1995 - Joel Gfeller
  • 1994 - Mike Rathjen
  • 1993 - Nathan Hukaluk
  • 1991 - Nigel Mark Daley
  • 1990 - Michael Woodworth
  • 1989 - Philip M. Bischoff