The People's Choice Award - Youth Under 30

They're young, passionate and dedicated. They are bold and determined when it comes to achieving their dreams.

They are unstoppable - they are simply amazing and inspiring!

HERE ARE THE TOP SIX YOUTH FINALISTS

(Arranged alphabetically by first name)

AMILA MADULAARACHCHI, 28: A leader and an athlete

   Amila is known in the community as a compelling and dedicated rugby athlete. He was member of the Sri Lanka Under 19 Rugby Team in 2001. Then just a year later, he went on to shine as he became Captain of the Rugby Team of St. Thomas' College of Mount Lavinia. At that time, he was also the College Prefect. This just goes to show that his amazing leadership qualities and excellence are not just limited in the sports arena.

    In 2005, Amila participated as one of the top members of the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Team. That year was a winning year for Amila and his team, as they won the "Marshall Division 1" League Championship in 2005.

    This intelligent, young man is a graduate of Electronics Engineering Technology from Seneca College in 2005. He now works as an accomplished Test Technologist for Evertz Microsystems in Burlington. When asked what his ambition is, he humbly answered: "I am happy with what I have." Though he seems busy in his career and sports, he always finds time for family and friends and also for self-development.

Click here to vote for Amila

BALA GOPALAKRISHNAN, 27: A young, remarkable doctor

    Young, driven and compassionate, Bala is on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a cardio-thoracic surgeon someday. Currently, he is pursuing his Doctor of Medicine degree at All Saints University of Medicine, Aruba.  He has completed two years of his MD degree, and during these years, he was the President of All Saints University of Medicine (ASUM) Student Council and was on the dean’s honor list.   

    Bala will be starting his core clinical internship at the prestigious John Hopkins University (Bayview Medical Centre, Baltimore, MD) in January of 2008.  He has also applied to do his elective clinical internship at Harvard Medical School and University of Toronto.  

    Even when he was younger, he has already been excelling in any endeavour he sets his mind into. While in high school he received many awards for being on the honor list, good citizenship list and for peer tutoring.  He volunteered as well at the Etobicoke General Hospital during the weekend in his high school years.              

    He completed his B.Sc in Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland.  During his undergrad years he also volunteered at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in St. John’s, NL.  During his second year he worked for the Public Service Commission of Canada as their Student Ambassador to Memorial University. 

    He was also the Vice President of Student Housing Council as well as the Vice-Coordinator for MUN Catholic Council for two years.

  Bala's hobbies include playing basketball, reading New England Journal of Medicine, watching House MD show, going to the movies and mini-golfing.

    His friends and family say that he is very helpful to others and that he has the biggest heart. He is very inspiring, especially to the young ones who also aspire to be a doctor someday.

Click here to vote for Bala

NILU MAHAVITANE, 30: An athlete, scholar and physiotherapist

     Nilu is an admirable young physiotherapist who has achieved and accomplished a number of things since her younger years. She has obtained her Masters in Science – Physiotherapy at McMaster University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto.

    Nilu is a remarkable athlete. Her sports activities included being a member of the McMaster Varsity Lacrosse Team, University of Toronto Varsity Squash Team, Canadian National Netball Team and the Ontario Netball Team from 1990-2000. She was also student trainer for the varsity volleyball and rugby at the University of Toronto. She currently plays volleyball in Markham and Scarborough Women’s Leagues.

    In high school, Nilu played soccer, volleyball, basketball and indoor hockey. She was named Female Athlete of the Year as well as Most Valuable Player both in volleyball and basketball. Through the summers, Nilu worked as a lifeguard. While she was very active in sports, her grades have always been remarkable. In fact, she was a Bethune Scholar for years, led the Student Council as Vice President in grade 13, and participated as member of the Athletic Council.

    With all her talents and achievements, Nilu gives back to the community by helping out at the soup kitchen as part of her temple youth. Also, she has sponsored one chld in Sri Lanka to help provide an education. She is in the process of sponsoring a second child. In 2006, this compassionate physiotherapist traveled back home and spent her time at an orphanage interacting with the children.

    Being a traveler, Nilu has been to all the provinces in Canada. She even went to Bermuda for the Netball training camps. Next on her list would be a trip to Africa, Alaska and South America.

Click here to vote for Nilu

RUVINDU GUNASEKARA, 16: A young, determined cricketer

    Ruvindu is a renowned and admired cricketer – and he’s only 16. In 2007, he played in Under 19 – America’s Cup Cricket tournament where he was awarded as Best Batsman for the highest aggregate of runs (254 runs) in the game.

    He also has amazingly established a new record among young cricketers under 19 by getting 156 runs in an inning. For that, he also has contributed in establishing a new record of best partnership of 200 runs.

    This young athlete is a member of the 2007 Toronto Premier Cricket League. He is the youngest player ever who recorded a premier century at the age of 16.

    In 2006, Ruvindu participated in the Under 23 Sri Lanka Cricket domestic tournament. He represented the Tamil Union C and the AC at the age of 15.

    Ruvindu currently studies at the Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute in Toronto. In his spare time, he plays basketball and listens to music.

    He wants to be an accountant someday, but his real ambition, he says, is to become a professional Cricketer.

Click here to vote for Ruvindu

SHAAD ABDUL AZEEZ, 16: One of the youngest, fastest runner

    Shaad is a talented, bubbly and energetic young man who excels in Track and Field. He is dedicated to his chosen field of sport, and he takes his training under Craig Blackman of I Be Fast Track Club very seriously.    

    His talent in running was first discovered when he was in grade eight. Since then, his love for track and field grew and his feats were unending. He won first place in a championship match in Scarborough while also bagging first place over-all in Toronto. He has even competed in locations as far as Ottawa and Windsor.

    He was named Athlete of the Year in 2005 at Dr. Marion Hilliard Junior High School. He was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Islamic Soccer League, and his team won both the league and knock out championship that year. Shaad is a confident young man who has a can-do attitude. He dreams to compete internationally.

    This handsome runner bagged an astonishing 11.59 seconds in the 100 meter dash. His fastest record in the 200 meter dash is a remarkable 23.16 seconds.

    His long legs are an asset, but most importantly, his dedication, focus and drive to winning and being the fastest among his fellow runners are the major factors that make Shaad an excellent athlete.

    Shaad is outspoken and very polite. He volunteers during Ramadan at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto, and he has done this for three years now. He gets along with everyone and his teachers say good things about him.

    He enjoys all other kinds of sports too - basketball, rugby and volleyball. Shaad also has a Junior Scuba Diver certification.

Click here to vote for Shaad

SHIRAINE UDUGAMPOLA, 25: The reigning Miss Sri Lanka Canada-USA

    Shiraine is a down-to-earth beauty queen who dreams of working with kids and teens as a teacher or a counsellor.

    She recently won in the Miss Sri Lanka Canada-USA Pageant that took place just last December 15, 2007. As she is the winner of that coveted title, she will now represent Sri Lanka at the Miss Asia Beauty Pageant that will be held on February 2008 in Los Angeles, California.  

    She is the epitome of beauty, grace and charm – but that is not the only reason why she was nominated for this prestigious award. Her passion and dedication for the youth has earned her a place in this competition and as well as the respect from her peers and family.

   
    Shiraine has always been very good with kids. In her younger years, she volunteered in school, looking after kids and tutoring them on their homework. She also helped teachers in their preparations for class.

    Not everyone is gifted with the ability to give sound advice – but Shiraine is. All her friends, colleagues and family come to her when they have problems. Shiraine is very good with relationships and she is a very good listener and communicator. This is why she wants to be a counsellor or teacher someday, devoting her gift for the youth or juveniles.

    She is currently studying at York University with a degree in Sociology and she will be graduating this April. Working on evening shifts for years, Shiraine has paid for her school by her own means - and she has remarkably juggled school and work at the same time. She loves dancing and would love to travel around the world. Shiraine is also an adventurer: the wildest thing she has ever done in her life is skydiving.

Click here to vote for Shiraine

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