Youth Appreciation
Tom McNaught Oakville Optimist Youth Appreciation Awards 2026
The Optimist Club of Oakville believes it is important that the youth of our community are recognized for their efforts and accomplishments in the arts, athletics, academics and community service. On an annual basis, we honor the accomplishments of students in our community. Each secondary school in Oakville is invited to select one candidate based on their participation in volunteering services within their school and community. These award winners are role models for the youth of our community. It is very inspiring to meet these youth. Please access our Contact Us page as there are directions, a map and a photo of our location, which people find helpful.
Awards Night: Tuesday, March 24th 2026
Time: 6:30 doors open, 7:00 pm start time
Location: Oakville Optimist Club - directions, map and photo on the Contact page of our website
Awards Winners may bring up to 3 family members with them
Time: 6:30 doors open, 7:00 pm start time
Location: Oakville Optimist Club - directions, map and photo on the Contact page of our website
Awards Winners may bring up to 3 family members with them
Award Winners 2025-26
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025-26 Tom McNaught Optimist Youth Appreciation Awards. To the right are the 10 winners at this year's Awards event. The winning students and their parents were invited to an Optimist Club Evening Reception where the awards were presented. Recognition and a $250.00 award to the winners was presented to one winning student per Oakville High School (Public and separate School Boards). These outstanding students are so deserving of these awards for their outstanding volunteerism at school and in our community!
Thank you to the chair of the awards program, Jeannie and her team of Optimists for putting this event together. Optimists Fred, Carilyn, Sandra, Anita, Keith, Jennie and Malvika.
In honour of the late Optimist Tom McNaught we have formally renamed this award to the Tom McNaught Community Service Youth Appreciation Award, in recognition of his many years as an Optimist and running this annual Youth Appreciation program. Are you an Oakville High School student who makes a difference in your school and your community? If so, then go see your Guidance Counselor about the Tom McNaught Youth Appreciation Awards from the Oakville Optimist Club when this program is available each year. Thank you to all of the Oakville High School Guidance Counsellors who nominated students for this award.
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist president John Sweeney, recipient Thomas Optimist Fred, Optimist Carilyn
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Anita, recipient Adddison, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Makvika, Recipient Emaan, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Keith, recipient Anjali, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Fred, recipient Kolina, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Anita, recipient Kira, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Carilyn, recipient Aleena, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Malvika, recipient Seoeun, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist Keith, recipient Benjamin, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Recipient Suhaani, Optimist Carilyn, President John
Youth Appreciation 2026
Recipient plaques
Youth Appreciation 2026
Optimist event organizer Jeannie Garton
Award Requirements
The photo to the left is of the late Tom McNaught, an Oakville Optimist member who exemplified what it means to be an Optimist, which is why the award is in his name. To be eligible for this Award, the student nominated must:
- Be a full-time student at a public or separate secondary school in Oakville
- Not be a previous winner of this Award
- Have a good academic standing
- Have participated in the school community to enrich the lives of fellow students
- Have volunteered in our Oakville community