YMM Parent's Top 20 Under 20 program is a community focussed initiative that recognizes the incredible youth and children in the RMWB.

YMM Parent’s Top 20 Under 20 program is a student initiative led by the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Youth (MACOY), working under the mentorship of the YMM Parent Editor-in-Chief. Each year, a cohort of exemplary young people from across Wood Buffalo are selected by the selection panel. In addition to being featured in YMM Parent, the Top 20 Under 20 receive opportunities to connect and network with dignitaries and accomplished business people from the region. In 2019, over 100 residents of community ambassadors, publication partners and children and youth in the Wood Buffalo region joined together to share recipients’ success stories at a live event with speeches, live music and food.
The Top 20 Under 20 program is launched in collaboration with YMM Parent Magazine’s annual publication. Each recipient is profiled with a story about them and their community achievements. The program also includes a partnership with local broadcasting network Shaw Spotlight to create videos for our various networking platforms.
Nominations are now open for 2021 Top 20 Under 20! To nominate an exemplary young person in our community click here!
Click on the following links to see the past YMM Parent publications:
2019 – Top 20 Under 20 in YMM Parent; Issue 2
2020 – Top 20 Under 20 in YMM Parent; Issue 3
At Balsom Communications we believe strongly in the youth of our region. This signature program allows us to provide recognition for youth achievement, while at the same time providing invaluable mentorship opportunities.
Here are some of the key elements of the program that we’re very proud of:
For MACOY participants:
Mentors youth to learn interviewing skills and journalism writing
Creates resume-building opportunities and new learnings
Opens doors within the community for philanthropic and work-related purposes
For our community:
Establishes new goals for success for our youth with award recognition
Creates awareness in the community about the good things happening around them, especially for our youth
Creates positive reinforcement in mental health for all parties included
For mentors:
Creates skill-building in career and new learnings
Contributes to a better-trained and engaged community
Creates the ability to develop long-term relationships to assist in youth’s future success
Learn more here about our publication YMM Parent.