2023 Austin Cook Award for Outstanding Youth

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 the Burbank City Council recognized Gemma Hernandez as the recipient of the 2023 Austin Cook Award for Outstanding Youth. Nominated by middle and high school administrators and carefully selected by the Burbank Youth Board, Gemma is awarded for her accomplishments in school, positive influence on her peers and younger siblings, overcoming adversity, and her desire to serve the Burbank community in her late mother's footsteps, Esme Hernandez.

In 2008, the Burbank Youth Board's Youth Recognition Award was renamed in Austin Cook's honor to recognize exceptional youth in the community who embodied 11-year-old Austin's exemplary character before his sudden passing in 2007. The Burbank City Council, Neha Ramesh, Secretary of the Burbank Youth Board, and Austin's father presented the award to Gemma Tuesday night.