OFSAA 2026 Character Athlete Award
OFSAA’s Character Athlete Award celebrates the efforts of the exceptional student-athletes in Ontario who best exemplify the characteristics that OFSAA is founded on.
Nominations come to the OFSAA office detailing the exceptional character of student-athletes from across the province. This year’s recipients inspire those around them with their involvement on the playing field and in the classroom, in both school and community.
To learn more about the award and the process to apply please go to https://www.ofsaa.on.ca/recognition/scholarships/character-athlete-award
Selecting just two females and two male winners from 150 submissions is not an easy task, but these four individuals stood out for their commitment to OFSAA’s values of leadership, equity, respect and sportsmanship. Each winner will receive a $500 grant from Baron Rings, a commemorative plaque and a Baron ring to recognize this outstanding achievement.
Kelly Huang
Kelly is an exceptional student whose character, achievements, and service reflect the highest standards of leadership, equity, commitment, respect, and personal growth. Through her consistent dedication to academic excellence and community involvement, she has established herself as a role model within Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute and the wider community.
Kelly’s leadership is demonstrated through both formal positions and everyday actions. As Vice President of the Science Club and a School Prefect, she plays a key role in fostering school spirit, student engagement, and a positive learning environment. She is also involved as a School Library Helper and a member of the Steel Pan Band, contributing to the vibrancy of school life. Her leadership extends beyond school through her work as a Bible camp counselor, where she independently planned and taught multiple science classes each week to children of varying ages. Managing large groups of up to 40 campers required confidence and strong organizational skills. As a setter on her volleyball team, Kelly further demonstrates leadership through communication, and the ability to guide play under pressure.
Equity is a central value in Kelly’s life, reflected most clearly in her service at Grace Place Food Bank, where she has volunteered over 160 hours. In this role, she supports individuals and families facing food insecurity, approaching each interaction with empathy and respect. Her experiences have strengthened her understanding of social inequalities and reinforced her commitment to ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity. She also contributes to her community through involvement in youth programs at Grace Place Church, helping to create an inclusive and supportive environment for others.
Kelly maintains outstanding academic performance, achieving mid-to-high 90s in Grade 12 courses and has earned multiple Certificates of Excellence. As a participant in the SHSM Health and Wellness program, she has aligned her academic pursuits with her future career goals. Her long-term dedication to extracurricular activities such as cross country, volleyball, and music highlights her ability to balance responsibilities. In addition, she has completed over 250 volunteer hours. At home, Kelly supports household needs, assisting with finances, and regularly visiting her grandmother in long-term care.
Respect and compassion define Kelly’s interactions with others. Whether she is mentoring younger students, assisting community members, or supporting her peers academically, she consistently demonstrates kindness, patience, and integrity. She approaches every responsibility with humility and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
Kelly’s strong focus on growth and development is reflected in her willingness to learn from experience and pursue new opportunities. She has developed resilience, emotional maturity, and strong interpersonal skills, and has earned certifications such as First Aid & CPR, WHMIS, and Infection Control. With a clear goal of becoming a nurse, Kelly has been accepted into Toronto Metropolitan University’s nursing program. She is determined to succeed and use her education to create a better future for herself and her family.
Kelly Huang is a compassionate, driven, and well-rounded individual whose contributions and character make her truly deserving of recognition.
Samantha Zhao
Samantha is a dedicated student-athlete whose high school career at Markville Secondary School reflects an exceptional commitment to excellence, leadership, and community impact. Across four years, she has competed at a high level in both individual and team sports, demonstrating perseverance, coachability, and resilience while consistently contributing to the success of every team she joins.
As an alpine snowboarding racer from Grades 9 through 12, she showed remarkable progression, advancing from a 17th-place finish in Grade 9 to earning multiple OFSAA and Boardercross qualifications, along with podium finishes at YRAA competitions. Her dedication to the sport extends beyond competition; she has volunteered at the OFSAA Snowboarding Festival throughout high school, serving as Social Media Lead for the past two years. In team sports, Samantha has been a key contributor to co-ed Ultimate Frisbee, helping her team secure a Tier 1 YRAA championship and a 6th-place finish at OFSAA, while also contributing to additional successful seasons, including a YRAA second-place finish. Her athletic versatility is further demonstrated through her involvement in Girls Ultimate (YRAA champions in Grade 12), Varsity Girls Field Hockey, Varsity Girls Flag Football, and Varsity Girls Golf.
Leadership is central to Samantha’s impact. She has served as captain of the Varsity Girls Field Hockey and Varsity Girls Flag Football teams, where she led by example with strong communication, accountability, and a team-first mindset. As captain of the competitive Shockdogz Ultimate Frisbee team, she fostered a positive and supportive environment, helping teammates navigate both success and adversity. Her leadership extends beyond sport through her involvement with the CREATE Markham Youth Council, where she progressed from delegate to Maven over three years. In this role, she mentored younger members, delegated responsibilities, and designed initiatives that empowered others to grow as leaders.
Samantha’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect is evident through her extensive community involvement. At Rouge Camps, she began as a volunteer and was later hired as a special-needs counsellor, where she supported children requiring individualized care with patience, empathy, and composure. Through the York Regional Police Youth-in-Policing Initiative, where she was selected as valedictorian, she co-facilitated youth conferences and mentorship programs, ensuring all participants felt seen, heard, and supported. She also contributes her time to ballet classes, YL Group Fitness, and organizations such as the Sprout Organization, where she helped raise $1,000, consistently promoting inclusive and encouraging environments.
Samantha is deeply committed to personal growth and creating opportunities for others. Through CREATE Markham, she founded three non-profit initiatives and led four community events focused on environmental, creative, and financial wellness, each engaging over 80 students. These experiences required resilience, initiative, and thoughtful leadership, and reflect her dedication to building stronger communities.
Overall, Samantha Zhao is an inspiring individual who consistently embodies the values of a Character Athlete. Her achievements in sport, leadership, and service highlight not only her personal excellence but also her lasting impact on those around her.
Neill Dawson
Neill is a highly driven student-athlete whose high school experience reflects a commitment to leadership, inclusivity, and personal growth. Neill has competed in cross country, rugby, volleyball, track and field, hockey, ultimate frisbee, wrestling, and rugby sevens over four years at Gloucester High School.
Central to Neill’s impact is his “lead from the front” approach to leadership. As a four-year rugby captain at the school, club, and representative levels, he has consistently demonstrated accountability, determination, and the ability to inspire those around him. His leadership reached an international stage when he captained his representative team on tour in Portugal, an experience that reflects both his athletic excellence and his ability to lead under pressure. At school, Neill has taken on numerous leadership roles, including serving on Student Council, the Athletic Leadership Council, and as a Grad Representative. In these positions, he has organized and led initiatives that strengthened school spirit and connection, such as the Senior Sunrise, Grad Hockey Game, and other community-building events. His role as MC for the athletic banquet reflects his confidence and communication skills.
Neill’s dedication to equity and inclusion is evident in his efforts to ensure that all students feel welcomed and supported. As an active member of the International Certificate Program and a host for exchange students, he has embraced opportunities to build cultural understanding and foster belonging. He has mentored ESL students, helping them navigate both academics and social life, and volunteered with the Learn to Skate program, where he taught international students a foundational Canadian skill. His involvement as both a volunteer and organizer for the Special Olympics hosted at Gloucester shows his commitment to inclusive sport and his belief that athletics should be accessible to individuals of all abilities.
A passionate mentor, Neill has made a lasting impact on younger students. Through his involvement in Link Crew and the A-Team, he has provided guidance and support to Grade 9 students as they transition into high school. He extended this mentorship to feeder schools, volunteering with Emily Carr Elementary to teach rugby and assist with track and field programming, and serving as a referee for Borden Ball. By organizing dodgeball intramurals for OFSAA Try Day, he created inclusive opportunities for younger students to engage in physical activity in a low-pressure environment.
Neill’s respect for his community is reflected in his willingness to contribute wherever needed. From volunteering at events such as Soup and Share and the Community Fair, to assisting at the Slam in the Swamp wrestling tournament, helping run school dances, and supporting a local farm and beekeepers, he consistently gives his time and energy to those around him. His cooperative education placement at a physiotherapy clinic further demonstrates his initiative and desire to learn beyond the classroom.
As a Sports SHSM graduate, Neill has balanced academic responsibilities with extensive athletic and extracurricular commitments. His character, leadership, and dedication make him an outstanding role model whose contributions have left a lasting impact on his school and community.
Sean Dunn
For all four years of his high school career at South Carleton High School, Sean has been an integral member of seven different school teams: badminton, cross country, nordic skiing, rugby, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. His ability to consistently contribute across such a wide range of sports highlights not only his athletic versatility, but also his resilience, discipline, and exceptional time management.
Sean’s list of accomplishments is impressive. He is a two-time MVP and co-captain of the senior boys’ volleyball team, a two-time coach’s award recipient in swimming, and a dedicated OFSAA competitor in both nordic skiing and swimming. In his graduating year, he qualified individually for OFSAA in the 50m butterfly—an achievement that reflects years of perseverance and technical growth. Interestingly enough, Sean also played a pivotal role in forming South Carleton’s first-ever boys’ swim relay team to compete at OFSAA, demonstrating initiative, leadership, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunities for others.
While his athletic success is significant, it is Sean’s leadership that truly sets him apart. As a member of the South Carleton Athletic Association, he actively promotes school spirit and athletics by refereeing intramurals and managing the school’s social media. Behind the scenes, he invests considerable time creating “Featured Student Athlete” profiles and promotional materials that celebrate the diversity and achievements of his peers in an inclusive and respectful way. Sean was voted by his peers and teachers to be the valedictorian for his graduation class.
Sean’s most impactful contribution is the revival of the Nordic Ski Team. Entering high school in Grade 9, he discovered that the program no longer existed. Rather than accept this, Sean took initiative and rebuilt the team from the ground up. Over four years, he cultivated a welcoming and supportive environment, dedicating himself to coaching and mentoring athletes—many of whom had never skied before. Under his leadership, several athletes progressed to qualify for OFSAA, and the senior girls’ team achieved collective qualification. Sean’s selflessness is evident in how he measures success: not by his own results, but by the growth and accomplishments of his teammates.
His leadership has naturally extended into other sports, where he has been trusted to lead warm-ups and practices for volleyball, track and field, and cross country. Sean’s calm, approachable demeanor encourages younger athletes to build confidence and develop strong habits, ensuring his impact will continue beyond his time at the school.
Outside the school community, Sean remains very involved in sport and service. He is an active competitor and mentor with the Kanata Nordic Ski Club, participates in a wide range of community athletics, and volunteers with multiple organizations such as the CityFolk Music Festival and Ottawa Orienteering. A three-time Male Athlete of the Year, Sean exemplifies the values of perseverance, respect, and leadership. He is a well-rounded, coachable, and genuinely kind individual who leaves a lasting legacy of inclusion, initiative, and excellence.
