Winner of the INAP Performing Arts Youth Award 2015

Me and my award

 Last year on the 4th October, I was the recipient of the 2015 International Naturally Autistic People "Performing Arts (Youth)" Award at the ANCA World Autism Festival Awards which was held in Vancouver, Canada.

This week I received my award from Canada.

I'm one of the New Zealand nominees for the INAP awards

It was such an honour for me and a very big congratulations to all the other nominees and award winners from last year.  It's a real celebration of the Autistic Community

Spot the New Zealand flag with the Australian flag

There were nominees from all over the world, so it was very cool that little o'l me from New Zealand was an award winner.  I'm very proud.

Me on the big screen

The awards were part of the 6th Annual ANCA World Autism Festival which was held over six days.

There was the opening ceremony, workshops, networking, performances and of course, the awards ceremony.

My acceptance speech on the big screen

I couldn't go to Canada, so I had to video my acceptance speech which was played on the big screen at the awards.

Me in the Naturally Autistic magazine

I was also included in an article titled "Cultural Diversity" by Charlie Collura, in the Fall 2015 issue of the Naturally Autistic magazine.

The award, itself, is pretty cool.  I really like the little Inukshuk guy, which in the Inuit language is the singular of inuksuit which means "in the likeness of a human".
Salem

In the Local News Papers - Shout Out Awards

At the Shout Out Awards.

Salem won a Kapiti Coast District Council "Shout Out"  Award on the 4th December 2014.

We had just flown back to Paraparaumu from attending the Attitude Awards in Auckland, we got off the plane then it was straight to the Kapiti Coast District Council buildings for the "Shout Out" Youth Awards.
They were so nice to us, saved us dinner as were arrived over an hour after they had started.

Salem received the Shout Out Expression Award. It is so nice for him to get an award for doing something that he loves doing.  Salem received a framed certificate, a really flash trophy and a Coastland's gift card.

A very big thank you to the Kapiti Coast District Council and the Kāpiti Coast Youth Council.
And congratulations to all the other award winners.

These are articles which have appeared in our local newspapers this week and last week:

Something to shout about
Kapiti Observer  18 Dec 2014

Achievers:

Salem is third from right.

More than a dozen young Kapiti people were awarded for their talent,
commitment and generosity at this month’s Shout Out Youth Awards.

Open to 12-24-year-olds, the awards have been running three years.
Mayor Ross Church presented awards in nine categories.

‘‘I particularly like that these awards go beyond looking at pure skill and
also consider personality and character – such as the Strive award that
goes to someone who has overcome barriers in their life and gone on
to succeed,’’ he said. ‘‘This fabulous group of young people are making a
difference in their own lives, their schools, workplaces and in the wider
community as leaders, organisers, mentors and role models.’’

Award winners: Kaitaiki (environment & sustainability) – Ruby Durrant-
Bush; Innovate (youth-led project and innovation) – Radio Random,
comprising primary school students Jack Mitchell, Joshua Tristram,
Taylor Quy and Aden O’Connor; Inspire (leadership) – Griffin Cherill;
Connected (community service) – Brittany Calder; Strive (overcoming
significant barriers) – Jerome Warren; Professional (entrepreneur-business)
– Marcus Ebbett; Star (positive work place attitude) – Awhina Nightingale;
Apprentice (apprentice) – Jason Gamble; Expression (arts, music & culture)
– Salem Foxx.

Alana Fraser was awarded highly commended in the Inspire and Connected
categories; and joint nominees Alyssa Kata and Alice Young received highly
commended in the Innovate and Inspire categories.

And in the Kapiti News yesterday:

And in last weeks Kapiti News 11 Dec 2014:

Salem wins a Pride Award

Salem giving his speech.

Great news, Salem won the Senior Creative Achievement and Innovation Award at the Pride Awards yesterday which were held at the Paramount Theatre yesterday in Wellington.

The Pride Awards recognise and celebrate the successes, achievements and contributions of young people in the Wellington region.

Before the awards.

Salem was absolutely thrilled especially as he wasn't expecting to win and to make it more special for him, his award was presented to him by Amanda Skoog who is the managing director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Salem made a great speech, he was very confident and looked great in a suit and tie.

He really can't help himself :-)

Salem received a trophy, a framed certificate and a travel voucher from The InterIslander, which is fantastic as Salem has never been down to the South Island yet, and a gift card from Westfield.

It was a great event, plenty of entertainment and food afterwards.

All the award winners truly deserved their awards, all very inspirational young people.

You can do acrobatics in a suit.

A big thank you to the Pride Awards Trust!!!!!  http://prideawards.org.nz/.

Check out their facebook page too https://www.facebook.com/ThePrideAwardsTrust.

Well done Salem!!!!!!