EMMA OMMERT

Emma is 17 years old and is an accomplished judo athlete, training 5-6 days a week for the past 11 years at Ajax Budokan Judo Club. She joined Judo Ontario's Youth Academy in 2019 and later transitioned to Judo Ontario's High-Performance Team. Her greatest accomplishment was in 2024 when Emma became one of the youngest females in Ajax Budokan's 65-year history to earn her black belt. Now a second-degree black belt, she has won numerous competitions, most notably 3rd place in her weight/age division at last year's Canadian Open Nationals (Canada's highest-ranking tournament) in Calgary, Alberta. Emma enjoys travelling across Canada to compete at various tournaments earning valuable experience and creating lasting friendships with other judokas. Last summer, Emma travelled to Valencia, Spain for a training camp. This was a fantastic opportunity for her to meet and learn from other judokas from around the world.

Emma has completed her NCCP Dojo Assistant course allowing her to share her love of judo on the mats with the next generation. Emma is also an active member of Judo Ontario's Girls Only Training Group. Here, Emma is able to assist with working with young girls to encourage their love of judo and strengthen their belief in themselves by being a positive role model. Being certified by Judo Canada as a Level 1 Self Defence Instructor has provided Emma with the tools to empower young women in a positive and safe environment. At her home club, Emma has been called upon various times to be a grading partner for both club mates and Sensei’s and is often seen teaching kata on a Sunday morning.

Emma is a Grade 12 Honours student at Ajax High School. Her favourite subjects are chemistry, biology and Spanish. She is the president of the STEM club and a very active member of the Student Counsel, Grad Committee and Grad Fundraising Committee. Emma will be attending Ontario Tech University next year to study Kinesiology.

LUCAS DAVIS

Lucas is a Grade 8 student in Pickering, where he was born and raised, and is a dedicated and driven young athlete.He plays centre back for DeRo TFC Soccer Academy located in Durham Region. He is competing at a high level while continuing to develop his skills, discipline, and understanding of the game. He is a leader on the pitch, and his teammates look up to him.

In addition to club soccer, Lucas is actively involved in sports at his elementary school, participating in a variety of local sports and always representing his school with pride. Beyond playing, he also gives back by helping referee younger teams, showing leadership, responsibility, and a strong sense of community.Lucas and his team will be travelling to Italy this spring, an exciting opportunity made possible through their dedication and fundraising efforts. They have been actively fundraising at Pickering City Centre and are incredibly grateful for the support from the mall and the community in helping make this special trip a reality.

Off the field, Lucas has a strong sense of style and loves fashion—he takes pride in how he presents himself and brings confidence and personality wherever he goes. He has also had a unique experience outside of sports, playing a young Drake in the promo video for Certified Lover Boy in 2021.Lucas leads by example both on and off the field. His work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to support others make him not only a strong athlete but also a great teammate and role model.

Lucas isn’t just building his game—he’s building his brand.

CHEYENNE  HINTON

My name is Cheyenne Hinton. I am a 14‑year‑old Grade 8 student and a dedicated multi‑sport athlete with a strong passion for sports. I am a self‑taught athlete who plays volleyball, basketball, and flag football, as well as competing in shot put and javelin. I developed my skills by playing outdoors with friends and constantly pushing myself to improve.

My dedication has led to several achievements, including placing first in area volleyball and earning first runner‑up in area basketball in Grade 6. I showed determination by continuing to play through an injury, which led to me being scouted for a rep team. I later tried out and earned a position with Canada Elite last August. I also compete in track and field, where I placed in the top six in the district for shot put and javelin. At school, I have received SOAR Awards for the past three years for my positive attitude, effort, leadership, and academics.

Beyond athletics, I am committed to making a positive impact by advocating against bullying. I believe in creating a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and included. I lead by example through kindness, supporting my peers, and speaking up when something is not right. As an athlete and role model, I strive to inspire others to stay strong, work hard, and treat people with respect both on and off the field. Hard work, resilience, and kindness are values I try to live by every day.

My goals going into high school are to continue playing sports and improving my skills. I want to focus mainly on basketball and work hard to become a stronger player while keeping my grades up. I also want to build more confidence, discipline, and be a great teammate. I’m excited to explore rugby in high school and try new sports opportunities.

MILAN OPARAH

Milan Oparah is a talented 12‑year‑old student‑athlete from Ajax, Ontario, known for her discipline, leadership, and passion for soccer. A Grade 7 “A” student at St. André Bessette Catholic School, Milan consistently demonstrates strong academic performance while pursuing her dream of becoming a professional athlete. Her ability to balance school and sport reflects her maturity and commitment at a young age.

On the field, Milan plays for Unionville Soccer Club’s U14 Girls OPDL team, where she continues to develop as a dynamic and impactful player. This year, she reached a major milestone by becoming the youngest athlete selected for the Provincial Xcel program, earning the honour of team captain—a clear recognition of her skill, work ethic, and natural leadership.

Milan is equally dedicated to giving back to her community. She volunteers with HK Soccer Skills Solution, mentoring younger players and helping them build confidence and technique. Her commitment to service was recognized early when she received the Responsible Citizen Certificate at age eight, highlighting her positive influence both on and off the field.

With her strong character, academic excellence, and athletic ambition, Milan continues to stand out as a rising young leader and a promising future star in Canadian soccer.

ANDREA CICCIARELLA

Andrea began his soccer journey at the age of five when he joined Timbits Soccer. After trying the sport, he took a break to focus on other activities, including jiu-jitsu, basketball, and playing on his elementary school football team. He wanted to explore different interests and discover what he excelled at.

At the age of nine, his passion for soccer became clear when he decided to try out as a goalkeeper for the Oshawa Kicks Rep Team. He was successful in earning the position and continued to develop his skills as a talented goalkeeper, playing with the team for one year.

Following this, Andrea challenged himself by trying out for a higher-level team in the OPDL (Ontario Player Development League), the top development league for players his age in Ontario. He received a callback from the Durham Region OPDL team, where he served as the main goalkeeper for two years.

At age 13, Andrea joined Pickering FC, his current team. Throughout his time as a goalkeeper, he has had the opportunity to travel internationally for tournaments, competing against American teams in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arizona. One of his most notable achievements came at the Blue Chips Tournament in Ohio, where Pickering FC won all their games. Andrea played a key role in bringing his team to the final, where he made two incredible penalty saves that secured the championship. Since then, he has continued to stand out as an important player on his team.

Andrea is also the captain of his school soccer team. In addition, he gives back by helping coach younger players in the junior division, assisting both girls’ and boys’ teams during tournaments. He leads warm-ups and helps prepare the players for their games.

With high school approaching, Andrea remains committed to working hard and continuing his soccer journey. Next year, he will attend St. Mary CHS. His dream is to one day play professionally and become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He hopes to be scouted and is determined    to achieve his goals through hard work and perseverance.

MACKENZIE MONTO

Mackenzie is a grade 7 student-athlete who demonstrates perseverance, sportsmanship, and a strong commitment to excellence. She trains and competes year-round in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track with The Durham Dragons. Most recently, she qualified for New Balance Nationals in Boston, where she competed against some of the best middle-school-aged runners in North America.

Mackenzie and her teammates also hold the provincial U14 4x800m relay record.  After being knocked down early in the race, she got back up despite injuries and continued running, her determination helped the team go on to break and now hold the Ontario record. Her ability to stay focused and never give up truly reflects her character both on and off the track.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Mackenzie contributes positively to her school and community through programs like Reading Buddies, where she supports younger students. She is also recognized as a positive and encouraging teammate, earning a team award for her leadership and sportsmanship.

ALEXYS FERNANDES

If you’re looking for fearless energy and big-time determination, you’ve found it right here. Alexys, is a true Gen Alpha kid, is a fierce competitor with a powerful passion for basketball. Size does not matter for her, she plays with determination and heart, helping her Lady Gators team secure a silver medal in their division this year, along with a win at the Lady Ballers league.

A Grade 7 student at a French elementary school in Ajax, Alexys stands out as one of the few girls actively participating in every athletic team and club. She proudly represents her school across the Durham District School Board in a wide range of sports.

Basketball is where she truly shines. Guided by the “Mamba Mentality,” Alexys believes that impact is not defined by size, but by effort and resilience—after all, even Goliath met his David. She plays with grit, confidence, and a bold mantra: “You wish you played basketball like a girl!”

Alexys is living proof that determination, courage, and love for the game can outshine any limitation.