The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance held its first ever Top Talents Awards Gala and Dinner last Friday, June 18. Top Talents was created to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Tamil youth aged 17-30 by recognizing and rewarding talented youth among the community with an award and a $500 bursary. Its aim was to motivate youth to achieve greater success by recognizing and rewarding those youth who have contributed to society and are positive role models for their peers.
For the next few days, we will be profiling our winners, and we hope their success story motivates and inspires you!
Today we will look at the winner of the CTYA Top Talents Track and Field Award.
The Top Talents Track and Field Award is presented to an individual who has shown significant achievement in a competitive organized sporting environment while showing commitment, leadership and sportsmanship. Decisions are made based on the applicant’s personal statement and references (if submitted) by a panel of judges. The selection panel is interested in the nominee’s overall success, leadership qualities, determination, and commitment to success.
This year, the CTYA Top Talents Track and Field Award was presented to Ms. Abirami Shamugaratnam.
Abirami has demonstrated athletic ability within Track and Field, all while displaying leadership qualities, excellent sportsmanship, and a commitment towards promoting a positive, and healthy lifestyle. In addition to track and field, she has participated, and excelled in badminton, rugby, cross-country, ice-hockey and soccer. She has also attended the Canadian Tamil Sports Association track and field meet, and has held the title of female champion consecutively over the last 5 years. In her school, she has won Most Valued Player, and Junior Female Athlete of the Year. At the Ontario Track and Field Association, she has placed first in several competitions, and has placed 3rd in the Toronto District College Athletic Association’s Track and Field Championships. She is also a sports coach for the Seelan Rangers sports club and a soccer coach for the Canadian Tamil Sports Association.
In addition to excelling athletically, she has worked towards promoting a healthy lifestyle by volunteering with the Health Action Committee, and is a student manager with a blood donor clinic. She serves as a model for other students to live by. In addition to her athletic achievements, she has contributed over 500 hours of community service, and continues to excel academically in the International Baccalaureate Program, where she is a grade 11 student. Her hard-working personality, positive attitude, commitment to sports, and overall achievements make her an inspiration to her peers.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Abirami has proven to seek every opportunity available and has excelled in her athletic and academic endeavors.
“Abi is bright, athletic, energetic and well rounded. Her grades have consistently been above average. I understand that she continues to do so in the International Baccalaureate program through her high school.” – Ken Morden, School Prinicpal
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