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Award-winners humble as their community spirit is recognized continued from p.4 nominees -- Dr. Jane Coryell and Donna Starkey -- have made significant contributions. "I'm happy , I'm surprised and I feel very grateful I was recognized for my efforts to try to bring back to life our naval history ," said Livingston. "It feels very nice to have recognition from the community that they recognize what the history is about, they understand it has value." The author said Oakville has much history, and in particular, a "very unique connection to our naval heritage." "HMCS Oakville's exploits in the Second World War are very unique, never mind that it was christened in the Town of Oakville, which adopted the ship and its crew. That is our legacy and it's very much our ship. Its history is our history," said Livingston. The Youth Award, sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada, recognizes an individual or group, 18 years and under, that has made positive contributions towards enriching Oakville's quality of life. Oakville Trafalgar High School's (OTHS) FIRST robotics team garnered the award for its efforts in creating and mentoring more than a dozen local elementary schools' LEGO and VEXES robotics teams, helping them win provincial championships. Last year, the OTHS robotics team created new LEGO and VEX programs for the Town and hosted six one-week courses for children aged eight to 14 at the QEPCCC. "It's nice to know that all of the effort we put into our team and values came out. We really invest a lot in helping younger students and those who don't have as much access to materials and other kinds of programs that we do," said Sonya Patel, Grade 11 student. Team member and Grade 12 student Jessica Yarrow said it's "a different kind of feeling" to be rewarded by the community. "It's great to see an event like this that not only recognizes the young people who do a lot, but recognizes everyone that does a lot in the community," she said. The team has about 65 members, of which 20-25 are female -- a statistic that has grown in the last two years, according to Patel. Yarrow attributes the increased female membership to the team's volunteering with the LEGO robotics and VEX programs at elementary schools. "There have been studies that show the earlier you get girls involved in science and technology, the more likely they are to continue (with it) and the more enthusiastic they are." The Oakville Beaver-sponsored Arts Award recognizes an individual or organization that, through volunteerism, has contributed to nurturing and enhancing the arts in town. The Oakville Wind Orchestra (OWO), this year's recipient of the award, has been contributing to the local arts scene since its inception in 1866 -- Canada's oldest, operational community concert band. OWO president Stephen Williams said it felt fantastic to win and was a great opportunity, as the OWO has numerous volunteer musicians who have contributed a lot of work. "We have about 45 musicians who volunteer their time for a lot of different events. It's really quite fulfilling to be honoured in this way," said Williams, who called the award validation of the OWO volunteer efforts. "It's nice to have an opportunity for somebody to realize some of the work that we have done over the years in supporting the community through the various charitable organizations, food banks, Habitat for Humanity (in 2014)," he added. The OWO's 2015 weekly Coronation Park summer series starts Tuesday, July 7 and runs from 7-8 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The Group Volunteer Award went to the Silverhearts Association co-founded by young Oakville professionals Alexander Silver and Jacqueline Di Filippo who host the Silverhearts Annual Saturday Social (SASS) gala in memory of Silver's mother, the late Janice Silver. After experiencing a stomach pain in July 2011, Janice lost her battle with the rare cancer angiosarcoma in October 2011. The 2015 Individual Community Spirit Award went to Flavia Ceschin, who founded a new volunteer group called Heartache2Hope holding support meetings in Oakville for those who have lost someone to suicide. Ceschin, worked as program director of Oakville's Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children from 2008-12 and is now in a private grief support practice. Rob McLean, a Special Olympics Ontario Oakville chapter volunteer for more than 30 years picked up the Access Award sponsored by MEDIchair for his contributions to the well-being and advancement of people with disabilities. The Amica-sponsored Senior Award went to Malcolm McDonald, a long-time Optimist Club of Oakville member, who has volunteered in Oakville, and helped establish the Children's Safety Village, for approximately 60 years. 13 | Friday, June 5, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Today's School for Tomorrow's World www.GlenburnieSchool.com Glenburnie School OPEN HOUSE Wednesdays 9am Preschool - Grade 8 2035 Upper Middle Rd. East at Ford Drive,Oakville (905) 338-6236 Whether you call it drywall, gypsum wallboard or sheetrock, it's all 100% recyclable to us. Documentation for LEED certification is available. 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