2024 Applause Awards Gala Winners and Nominees

Senior of the Year

Dr. Steven Wolinetz, right, is presented with the Senior of the Year Award by Ward 4 Councillor Tom Davis.

The nominees for this award included:

• *Winner: Dr. Steven Wolinetz, Professor Emeritus, retired from Memorial University in 2009 after 38 years. Since then, he has been volunteering with several community groups, including the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, the Tuckamore Festival, the LSPU Hall Seat Campaign and the Home Again Furniture Bank. He is also active with the MUN Pensioners’ Association, the local Jewish community and the Religious Social Action Coalition (RSAC), a coalition of faith communities.

• Liz Ohle is a founding member of Out in Faith. She convenes St. John's Quakers and organizes hockey for newer, older and slower women and non-binary folks. She also helped the Spectrum Queer Choir to Incorporate.

Youth of the Year

Awards were provided in two categories - junior and senior.

Junior Youth of the Year 

Councillor Ron Ellsworth, left, and Recreation Fieldworker Nicole Murphy, right, present Alexis MacDonald, with the Junior Youth of the Year Award.

Nominees and recipients include:

• *Winner: Alexis MacDonald, a student at École Rocher-du-Nord, is actively involved in her community through various organizations, including the "About Face" Youth Advisory Committee, a national organization supporting individuals with facial differences.

• Peyton Critch exhibits exceptional leadership, academic dedication, and sportsmanship, actively participating in hockey, basketball, soccer, and extracurricular activities while graciously offering support and guidance to her peers in school events and activities.

• Eileen Grenning, who is an active participant in the Rabbittown Community Centre’s Youth program. This includes the Junior Youth Mentorship program, which focuses on life skills and preparedness. Eileen has also put in many hours of extracurricular work at her school, including drama, volleyball, basketball, tutoring, band and choir. 

• Grace Snow, a student at St. Paul’s Junior High, participates in a diverse selection of activities that will prepare her for a positive and healthy life moving forward. Grace is a natural leader and works hard to be the best that she can be, whether that is skating, academics or community work. 

Senior Youth of the Year

Councillor Ron Ellsworth, left, and Recreation Fieldworker Nicole Murphy, right, present Sheza Chowdhury with the Senior Youth of the Year Award.

Nominees and recipients include:

• *Winner: Sheza Chowdhury is a dedicated and enthusiastic grade 10 student at Gonzaga High School, showcasing her skills in various clubs and teams. Her diverse interests, attention to detail, and eagerness to help others make her an exemplary student.
• Ibrahim Essam - During his time at Holy Heart of Mary, Ibrahim has shown exceptional care for his peers and community, excelling in the International Baccalaureate Program and actively volunteering. With aspirations in public policy and law, he aims to contribute to a more humanitarian future.
• Lauren Patten's gentle nature fosters inclusive spaces where people feel valued and understood. Active in both school and community, she expresses her passion for culture, traditions, and music through participation in various performing arts groups and choirs at Holy Heart of Mary.
• Maria Antle is a student at Gonzaga High School actively involved in both her school community and the community itself. Through her academic achievements and involvement on multiple sports teams, Maria strives to assist her peers to improve and achieve in these areas.

Athletes of the Year Awards

Awards are given in three categories - female, male and team. The 2023 winners and nominees include the following.

Marg Davis Award for Female Athlete of the Year

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen, left, and members of the Marg Davis family present Kate Bazeley, middle at back, with the Female Athlete of the Year Award.

• *Winner: Kate Bazeley represented Canada at the World Cross-Country Championships in Australia, contributing to Canada's 7th place tie. She set provincial records by winning the Tely 10 female division and the Provincial Cross-Country Championships. Kate secured a spot at the World Athletics Cross-Country Championship in Serbia after finishing 3rd at the National Cross-Country Championships.
• Jane Pope excelled in soccer, contributing to Holy Cross NutraHoldings' 8th consecutive NLSA Jubilee Trophy win. She was honored as the Jubilee’s MVP, Top Scorer, and earned a spot on the League All-star team. At the Toyota National Championship, she helped secure her team's 2nd consecutive National Championship and tied for the Golden Boot award.
• Sarah Reid, a multi-sport athlete at Gonzaga High School, led her basketball team to multiple victories, earning her the title of Gonzaga’s Athlete of the Year. She represented Team NL at Basketball Canada’s U17 National Championships, earning all-star recognition, and secured a spot in the 2024 FIBA World Championships.
• Lauren Winters, a multi-sport talent at Cygnus Gymnastics, earned accolades at various competitions. She won silver at the 2023 Canadian National Championships and gold in the all-around and beam at the Atlantic Gymnastics Championships. Additionally, she impressed at the Lady Luck Invitational, winning bronze and silver.

Tom “Dynamite” Dunn Award for Male Athlete of the Year

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen, left, and Don Power, right, present a member of James Clarke's family with the Male Athlete of the Year Award.

• *Winner: James Clarke, excelled in rugby at various levels, winning championships with the Swilers Senior Men's team and the Atlantic Rock. He represented Canada's U20 team and played for Memorial University, winning the Atlantic University Sport Championship.
• Sawyer LeBlanc won medals in track and field championships, including gold in the U18 3000m. He also excelled in road running, winning gold in the U20 category at the Toyota Plaza High Performance Road Running Series and the Male 19 & Under category at the Tely 10.
• Jack McCarthy excelled in rugby, contributing to championship wins with the Swilers Senior Men's team and Memorial University. He was named to Rugby Canada’s National Senior Men’s 7s training squad in preparation for the 2024 Olympics.

Team of the Year

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen, left, and Don Power, right present Brad Gushue's parents with the Athlete of the Year Award in the Team category.

• *Winner: Team Gushue secured their 5th Brier title in London, Ontario. They followed up with a silver medal at the World Curling Championship in Ottawa after a loss to Team Scotland in the finals. Additionally, they claimed victories at the Pan Continental Curling Championship in Kelowna and the Karuizawa International in Japan.
• Avalon Altitude U14 Volleyball won all 32 matches in provincial play and competed at the 2023 Volleyball Canada 14U Girls' National Championship in Halifax. They reached Tier 1 and narrowly lost to Ontario in the finals, earning the first-ever silver medal for a female NL team at a National Volleyball Championship.
• Holy Cross NutraHoldings soccer team secured their eighth consecutive NLSA Jubilee Trophy and second consecutive national title at the Toyota National Championship in Halifax going undefeated with a flawless defensive record. This achievement marks the first time a Newfoundland team has won consecutive national soccer championships.

Climate Change Leadership Awards

This award category recognizes individuals and organizations that are working diligently to build a greener future on a corporate and community level. Recipients for 2024 include. 

Corporate Climate Change Leadership Award: Crombie REIT

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary, left, and City Manager of Sustainability, Edmundo Fausto, right, present staff from Crombie REIT/Avalon Mall with the Corporate Climate Change Leadership Award.

Understanding the impact a nearly 600,000 square foot building can have on the environment, Avalon Mall is committed to leading by example when it comes to sustainable operations. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of team members, client collaboration, and adherence to industry best practice, Avalon Mall has made great strides in reducing its carbon footprint and continues to find new ways to grow their sustainable efforts. 

Community Climate Change Leadership Award: Dr. Sean McGrath, FANE

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary, left, and City Manager of Sustainability, Edmundo Fausto, right, present Dr. Jay Foster accepting for Dr. Sean McGrath, the Corporate Climate Change Leadership Award.

FANE was founded in 2015 by Dr. Sean McGrath, Dr. Barry Stephenson and Dr. Kyla Bruff. It is a small group of concerned citizens, thinkers, and practitioners trying to make a difference by working on how we think about nature. Their method is to make ecological knowledge available and compelling everywhere to transform the imaginations and practices of communities.

Innovative Housing Design Award

Choices for Youth

Stella's Circle

Councillor Ron Ellsworth, left, and Mark Finch, right, from St. John's Affordable Housing present the Innovative Housing Design Award to representatives from Stella's Circle.

Stella’s Circle is an award-winning, nationally celebrated community organization with a mission to transform lives through Real Homes, Real Help and Real work. They are the third largest provider of affordable housing in the province, behind the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and City of St. John’s. Stella's Circle has been increasing its affordable housing portfolio, far surpassing its goal of 100 units by 2025. Now in 2024, Stella’s Circle operates 133 units of housing, including the 6 micro units being recognized today.

Heritage Awards

The following properties were recognized for preserving or restoring the original character of a building:

156 Gower Street - Noah Fleming: 156 Gower Street is located on one of the oldest streets in downtown St. John’s. The property owner has renovated the three-storey building by replacing rotten trim and mouldings around the front door and windows and painted the building to revitalize it while maintaining the heritage characteristics.

8 Military Road - St. Thomas’ Anglican Church: Built in 1836, this is the oldest Anglican Church in Newfoundland. Detailed restoration and renovation work has been ongoing since 2021. In 2023, work was completed to the lower portion of the Bell Tower. Damaged cladding, corner boards, and trim were replaced or repaired where possible. This work will help preserve the Bell Tower for years to come. 

Ward 5 Councillor Carl Ridgeley, left, and Lindsay Church, right, a Planner from the City of St. John's, right, present the Heritage Award to representatives from St. Thomas' Anglican Church.

 Tourism Awards

The City of St. John's honours the very best in the tourism industry every year through three awards. Recipients this year include: 

Tourism Excellence Award: HOLD FAST Festival 

Ward 1 Councillor, Jill Bruce, left, presents representatives from the HOLD FAST festival with the Tourism Excellence Award.

The HOLD FAST Festival is a free, four-day celebration of local and regional performance and interdisciplinary arts. As the province’s longest-running contemporary arts festival, HOLD FAST seeks to engage community, facilitate meaningful exchange, increase public arts literacy, and create professional opportunities for artists. The festival takes art practices out of the gallery and into the community, where dynamic, interactive performances break down barriers and transform downtown St. John’s into a site of joyful curiosity, creative exploration, and engagement beyond our typical audience.Festival programming attracts a wide range of visitors, enlivening the downtown core and increases the visibility of the arts in downtown St. John’s.

The Legend Award: Quidi Vidi Brewery

Ward 1 Councillor Jill Bruce presents Justin Fong from Quidi Vidi Brewery the Tourism Legend Award.

Quidi Vidi Brewery has played a pivotal role in elevating the profile of St. John's both provincially and nationally. Through their award-winning craft beers, captivating brewery tours, and participation in prestigious industry events, they have effectively showcased the city's vibrant culture and rich heritage to audiences far and wide. Their innovative marketing strategies and partnerships have put St. John's on the map as a bucket list destination for beer enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Quidi Vidi Brewery embodies a culture of excellence through their relentless pursuit of brewing mastery, unparalleled customer service, and dedication to community enrichment. Their team members exemplify professionalism, passion, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.

The Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction: 2023 Canadian Women in Ocean Industries Leadership (CWOIL) Conference

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes three categories of volunteers - junior, adult and group. The nominees and recipients are as follows:

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Ward 1 Councillor Jill Bruce presents Emmett Cochran with the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

*Winner: Emmett Cochran is a student at Waterford Valley High School and dedicated volunteer that has made significant contributions to his community through the organization of fundraising events to support his peers and vulnerable populations.

Adult Volunteer of the Year

Ward 1 Councillor Jill Bruce presents Alick Tsui with the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award.

• *Winner: Alick Tsui, who has been volunteering for several years in various capacities for a variety of organizations and associations like the Positive Thinkers Club, CNIB, and many more.
• Shannon Goodyear, a dedicated rugby coach at Gonzaga High School that has given his time and experience back to the rugby community massively.
• Barry Fordhman -  After 12+ years of advocacy and volunteering, Barry's dream, "Sharing the Harvest NL," brings food security to St. John's families, providing over 5,000+ meals through his work with the Single Parent Association of NL Food Bank.
• Tom Jackman - Since 2007, Tom has been deeply involved in local running clubs and volunteers with various organizations, including Athletics Northeast, National Autism Canada, Georgestown Neighbourhood Board, Disability without Poverty, Rogers TV, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
• Bill Pomeroy - In 2004, Bill co-founded Athletics NorthEast (ANE), now boasting over 250 members and organizing diverse road running events, leaving a lasting impact on Newfoundland and Labrador's athletics community.
• Alicia Mujica, a devoted volunteer assisting newcomers in settling into the province. She founded the Latin Hispanic Association of NL in 2022 to promote community social, cultural, and educational elements, organizing events like the First Annual NL Latin Heritage Day and a Spanish language book club.
• Shannen Stone, whose volunteer work with St. John’s Status of Women Council has included assisting with cooking community meals, Naloxone Training, and supporting events like International Women’s Day, fostering social connections and providing free training sessions.
• Patrick Burke, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and NL Governor General's driver, now uses his musical talents to support organizations, seniors, and people with disabilities in St. John’s and surrounding areas.
• Linda Hickey, who excels at bringing people together for community events and charitable initiatives while fostering integration for new residents through education and cultural events, such as her work on projects like the Harry Hibbs Exhibit at the #2 Mine Tour and Museum.
• Joshua Roberts, whose unwavering dedication to our community and the arts is evident through his exceptional leadership, support for local artists, and commitment to fostering creativity, highlighted by his provision of a studio space for fellow artists and his mentorship of younger talent.

Group Volunteer of the Year

Ward 1 Councillor Jill Bruce, left, presents representatives of Thrive's Street Reach Program with the Group Volunteer of the Year Award.

• *Winner: Thrive’s Street Reach Volunteer Program – Guided by harm reduction principles, this program offers outreach services and individual support to those 16 and over. Volunteers fill many important roles of the group, such as outreach walks, distributing harm reduction supplies, serving meals, providing support during drop-ins, shopping and fostering social and community connections.
• Waterford Valley High Community Outreach Network is comprised of over 50 high school student volunteers. The group embodies volunteerism and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on St. John’s through initiatives like food drives, fundraisers, meal preparation at the Ronald McDonald House, and assistance for seniors and community organizations.