2026 Alishia Liolli Leadership Award Recipients

The Alishia Liolli Leadership Award is presented annually to Bruce Awad Summer Program staff member who best encapsulates Alishia’s character and displays dedication, compassion and initiative while surpassing all expectations. This year marked the second year that the awarded was presented to two very worthy recipients at our Essex Program and one at our Windsor Program.

Amber Patten, (pictured above on the left with her sister and our two Co-Directors, Hailey and Sean), is our Windsor recipient and has been working with ASI for four summers. She values the opportunity to watch students grow while creating meaningful and positive experiences for them. The skills and experiences she has gained through ASI continue to shape her work as a science educator in rural northern Saskatchewan.

When asked what the program means to her, Amber shared, “The summer program has been instrumental in shaping my teaching philosophy… and how I think about neurodiversity/disability in general.”

Keegan DeGoey, (pictured on the right with our co-Director Jeremy), is our Essex recipient and has been working with ASI for four summers. He began with the program while attending college and has since built strong relationships with students and their families, while gaining valuable skills and strategies that he now applies in his work with the school board.

When asked about his experience, Keegan shared, “I’ve developed so many great relationships with students and their families,” and looks forward to many more years with the program.

Congratulations to Amber and Keegan!