20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
On Friday June 20, 2025 we celebrated our 20 year anniversary themed "Building Confidence & Community". It was a night to reconnect with past and present teammates, coaches and supporters known as 'g.a.b family members' to celebrate the achievements of g.a.b over the last 20 years.
Watch the recap of our last 5 years of programming:
Watch the recap of our last 5 years of programming:
The anniversary was also a time to introduce our community vendors that we have used over the years who not only support our mission in building confidence in girls but who are either parents or past participants or relatives of g.a.b.
Meet our community vendors and what they have to offer here:
Meet our community vendors and what they have to offer here:
After some delicious food catered by Sak Pate and Wicked Carib, while listening to the music tunes from DJ Kevin from Heart Entertainment; our guests ventured to our photo booth for some pictures that were printed out for them on the spot.
View some of the Photo Booth photographs here:
View some of the Photo Booth photographs here:
After a delicious meal that was complimented with beverages, guests entered the Auditorium. Our MC, Gabriella Bunag entertained the audience with a Kahoot g.a.b trivia game that Kiarra won, followed by the introduction of part 1 of the special presentation.
Watch the beautiful documentary created by Monica Wiehler, our former g.a.b participant & her team:
Watch the beautiful documentary created by Monica Wiehler, our former g.a.b participant & her team:
With teary-eyed and inspired guests learning more about the creation of g.a.b and the mission behind it, guests were then introduced to part 2 of the special presentation: the awards. Our founder, Tanya Callaghan welcomed back our eight award winners from 2015 to present the same award they received 10 years ago to a deserving candidate at g.a.b.
Each award marks a characteristic that Tanya embodies that was inspired by her 7 mentors. In 2015, during g.a.b's 10 year anniversary, Tanya honoured her mentors on stage by telling the story of how they made an impact in her life by inspiring her to create the first, all-girls basketball organization in Canada (watch 10 year anniversary).
Each mentor then awarded a g.a.b girl who emulated that characteristic that Tanya embodied. The distinction of excellence is the highest award given to a g.a.b participant who embodies all 7 characteristics. Those same girls who were awarded in 2015, have returned 10 years later to award the new 2025 g.a.b candidates.
Each mentor then awarded a g.a.b girl who emulated that characteristic that Tanya embodied. The distinction of excellence is the highest award given to a g.a.b participant who embodies all 7 characteristics. Those same girls who were awarded in 2015, have returned 10 years later to award the new 2025 g.a.b candidates.
Left to Right: Shanelle, Shrinandita, Melissa, Zhuri, Alison, Monica, Gabriella, & Ania
8 Character Awards
Determination: Inspired by Malado Callaghan, awarded to Halley Mayer in 2015, and now awarded to Shrinandita Das.
Resilience: Inspired by Elsa van Staveren, awarded to Brandi Richards in 2015, and now awarded to Monica Wiehler.
Rising Star: Inspired by Robert Brohman, awarded to Kiarra Kelly in 2015, and now awarded to Zhuri Henman.
Perseverance: Inspired by Virginia Ki, awarded to Palig Baghdasarian in 2015, and now awarded to Shanelle Etienne.
Leadership: Inspired by the late Sandy Pothier, awarded to Leanne Prade in 2015, and now awarded to Gabriella Bunag.
Mentorship: Inspired by Marcel Greaux, awarded to Mikayla Nassy- Wong in 2015, and now awarded to Melissa McKay.
Dedication: Inspired by Clement Chu, awarded to Alexa Silva in 2015, and now awarded to Ania Nedeljkovic.
Distinction of Excellence: Embodied by Tanya Callaghan, awarded to Wumi Agunbiade in 2015, and now awarded to Alison Tayag.
Resilience: Inspired by Elsa van Staveren, awarded to Brandi Richards in 2015, and now awarded to Monica Wiehler.
Rising Star: Inspired by Robert Brohman, awarded to Kiarra Kelly in 2015, and now awarded to Zhuri Henman.
Perseverance: Inspired by Virginia Ki, awarded to Palig Baghdasarian in 2015, and now awarded to Shanelle Etienne.
Leadership: Inspired by the late Sandy Pothier, awarded to Leanne Prade in 2015, and now awarded to Gabriella Bunag.
Mentorship: Inspired by Marcel Greaux, awarded to Mikayla Nassy- Wong in 2015, and now awarded to Melissa McKay.
Dedication: Inspired by Clement Chu, awarded to Alexa Silva in 2015, and now awarded to Ania Nedeljkovic.
Distinction of Excellence: Embodied by Tanya Callaghan, awarded to Wumi Agunbiade in 2015, and now awarded to Alison Tayag.
The celebration concluded with raffling off donated prizes and eating cake & refreshments courtesy of the following wonderful people and organizations that support us.
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Special thanks to:
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Watch the recap of our 20th Anniversary:
View pictures of the evening here: