She said it was important to celebrate youth to encourage them to keep pursuing goals.
She said making entry to the event free also made it accessible and possible for all to celebrate youth.
Rotorua Girls' High School student Shay Tahano said the evening would feature a motivational speaker and entertainment from students.
The speaker is Tauranga man Tony Christiansen who lost both of his legs in an accident at age 9.
Shay said it was important to celebrate youth because they were a big part of the community and contributed to it.
"It's a way for people to express their culture and for the people of Rotorua to come together to celebrate rangatahi."
OneChance Youth project chief enthusiast Alan Solomon said the awards were special because the organising group represented a snapshot of the young population.
"It's the diversity of the group, the dynamic of having all the school represented."
Solomon teased there would be a big announcement made at the awards.
A total of $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the event.
The 12 award categories are: Most outstanding youth performance group, most outstanding youth performer, most amazing youth visual artist, most outstanding sports team, most outstanding sports athlete, most outstanding youth employee, most outstanding community youth ambassador, youth services icon award, Most awesome youth of the year, youth cultural leader of the year, people's choice award and supreme youth leader of the year.
The details
What: OneChance Youth Awards
When: May 26, doors open 4.30pm
Where: Energy Events Centre
Cost: Free, ticket limit of four
Nominations: To nominate someone go to the website. Nominations close April 19.
Details: Visit onechance.nz or find One Chance Awards on Instagram or One Chance Youth Project on Facebook. To express interest in sponsoring email ocyapromotions@gmail.com.
