W.A.V.E. Empowering Youth Day, honours youth, who have ‘Made a Difference’ in their schools and communities, with a Louise Russo Youth or Leadership Award. These individuals took the initiative to organize direct outreach and networking activities that focused on the 3R’s – Respect, Responsibility and the Role of leadership, to create a safer place to live, learn and play.
 
The day provides a platform for past and present Louise Russo Youth Award recipients to share their stories, how their initiative is making a difference and as an award recipient, how they are able to encourage other youth (their peers) to believe that one-by-one we can all make a difference.

The day’s activities culminate with some exceptional young people receiving five (5) Louise Russo Youth Awards (individuals or teams) and three (3) Leadership Awards, attended by their peers, teachers and corporate sponsors.
 
It also involves exceptional motivational guest speakers and performers who share their personal stories about a life altering incident that helped them to take charge of their lives by the choices and actions they took. These speakers and performers, with their strong and impressionable messages, become role models in the eyes of our youth.
 
The speaker/performer roster exceeded all expectations. They included:
- The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
- Returning emcee, Rick Campanelli, Global’s co-host ET Canada
- Diane Dupuy, President & Founder Famous PEOPLE Players
- LaToya Rodney, former gang member, councellor, rap artist and mother
- Mixed Company Theatre, engages students in active problem solving, through socially relevant and interactive drama
- Mark DeMontis, who overcame his challenges when he was declared legally blind at age 17
- Danny Fernandes, Canada’s next true superstar, is an MMVA winner and JUNO Award nomineed
- Kendra Fisher, Team Canada Women’s Hockey program, was forced to walk away from her dream due to a severe Anxiety Disorder. Kendra now brings Mental Health Issues to the forefront.
- Anthony McLean, Founder of iEngage, a bullying prevention program, has uses his skills as an actor and rapper to inspire students to be a positive influence in their schools.
- Jamaal Magloire, “Big Cat” Magloire, a twelve-year veteran of the NBA, provided children in Scarborough with the opportunity to play and compete in the Ontario Basketball Association.
- Kreesha Turner, Has been dubbed the Canadian Rihanna. Sharing the stage with the likes of Katy Perry, Shirley Bassey and Lady Gaga, Kreesha an R&B/pop singer/songwriter.

For more info about W.A.V.E. Empowering Youth Day please visit the website at www.louiserussowave.ca, you can also check out the video.