At just 10 years old, Warren Pinnawalage is making waves with his remarkable accomplishments and kind spirit.
A student at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Warren recently won the 5th annual National Kindness Speech Contest, adding to his impressive list of accolades.
His achievements include the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Gold Service Award, presented by President Joe Biden, and a memorable TEDxTalk on bullying at the age of nine.
Numerous badges
Warren’s public speaking journey began early; he first spoke in front of an audience of over 500 people at a cultural show in Staten Island, New York, when he was just four years old. He has since volunteered at TEDx events in Texas and Staten Island and delivered a motivational speech to over 1,000 members of the Sri Lankan community in New York.
Warren has earned numerous badges from Home Depot and Lowe’s for his participation in free building workshops and completed an Animal Psychology/pet behaviour course through Udemy. He is also a two-time Boy Scout Pinewood Derby car winner, securing 2nd place overall and 1st place in the “Coolest Car” category in 2024.
Warren is actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), regularly volunteering and winning the Patriotic Pen Essay competition from Post 2648. He received an Award of Honour for Citizenship, Scholarship, and Attendance from VFW Post 2648 in May 2024.
He shared a breathing exercise with other children at a community STEM/STEAM summer camp, under the supervision of his mother, Dr. Sugi.
Diverse talents
At Kennedy School, Warren is a member of the choir and band, playing both drums and piano, and has performed in two recitals. He is also part of the school climate committee, contributing to a positive school environment.
His cultural drum activity was featured on an international children’s TV program, showcasing his diverse talents.
Warren’s achievements have been recognised by North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners. His contributions to the community and dedication to personal growth are truly inspirational.
Born in New York to parents who emigrated from Sri Lanka, Warren’s father, Dr. Ron, is a civil engineer, and his mother, Dr. Sugi, is a licensed psychotherapist. Fluent in Sinhala, Warren has embraced his cultural heritage and uses it to connect with others.
He met Ambassador Julie Chung during a visit to the US Embassy in Colombo, sharing his journey and passion for education and social service.
