Celebrating Young Leaders
Honoring Passion, Innovation, and Resilience of Young Changemakers on October 24th!
About the Awards
The 21 Under 21 Youth Awards Gala presented by RBC is a staple event organized by Youth Ottawa to recognize and celebrate young people. Rebranded from the Spirit of the Capital Awards, the event honours 21 local youth each year, 14-21 years of age who have made a significant contribution to their local or global community and who show initiative, enthusiasm, and leadership.
This year’s event will take place at the Shaw Centre on October 24th, 2024. The event will feature a mocktail hour, photo booth areas, awards presentations, youth performances, multimedia displays showcasing the work of our city’s young people, and more!
Event Details
5:30 Mocktail Reception
Enjoy a refreshing selection of mocktails as we kick off the evening. In keeping with our celebration of the achievements of our community's youth, we are proudly offering a non-alcoholic experience. This is a chance to mingle, network, and toast to the inspiring young leaders of our city with a variety of delicious, alcohol-free beverages.
6:30 Dinner
Indulge in a delectable three-course meal designed to please every palate. Starter: Carrot and Fennel Soup (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Halal) Main Course (Choose One): Nadeau Farm Chicken (Gluten-Free) Duster Cauliflower (Vegan+, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Halal) Dessert: Apple Dessert (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Halal)
6:45 Awards Begin
The highlight of the evening, our Awards Ceremony, will honour and celebrate 21 exceptional young leaders who have made a significant impact in our community. Join us as we recognize their achievements and hear their inspiring stories. This moment is a tribute to their hard work, dedication, and the bright future ahead. Be prepared to be moved and inspired by the incredible talent and passion of our youth.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in our events, regardless of financial circumstances. If you or someone you know is in need, we are pleased to offer a few complimentary or discounted tickets on a first come first serve basis.
To request tickets or to learn more, please reach out to us at Romina at romina@itmevents.ca. We are here to help ensure that everyone can join us for this experience!
Meet the 2024 Recipients
Youth Ottawa is proud to celebrate the remarkable journeys of young individuals who excel across a wide range of fields, from academics and leadership to community service, arts, and environmental advocacy.
As we gear up to honor the 2024 recipients of the 21 Under 21 Awards, meet the incredible youth who have inspired change, given back to their communities, and demonstrated exceptional leadership.
"The Awards had a huge impact on my career, education and overall life. Through the support and network I was able to launch my community work to another level. And through the visibility and recognition I have received additional financial support and distinction. For instance, shortly after receiving this award I became one of only 20 McCall MacBain scholars ‘22 at McGill University. I feel none of this would have been possible without the visibility and support of the RBC Youth Award. I consider it to be a milestone in my journey to becoming an advocate, entrepreneur, and physician-researcher."
Support Young Emerging Leaders
As leaders in the community, this is a unique opportunity for you to celebrate and give back to tomorrow’s leaders! Download our information package to learn more about the different ways you can get involved with the awards.
Thank You to our Sponsors
We are looking forward to having Enchanted Photo Booth attending this year’s 21 Under 21 Youth Award. Capture the fun and memories with their 360 Video Booth.
Alumni Stories
Hear from past spirit alumni! Alumni share what the awards meant to them and their work in the community.