The Orléans Star is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards. The Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards were first launched in 2005 as a way to recognize the many accomplishments of young people living in Orléans and the surrounding community.
They are unique in that there are no specific categories, instead individuals can be nominated for their achievements in a given area or in a combination of areas.
The Orléans Star received 28 nominations in total. Each submission was individually vetted by a panel of seven judges who were each asked to select their top 10 candidates. The lists were then collated and the 20 nominees with the most judges’ selections were chosen to receive the award.
This year’s judges were former children’s entertainer and citizenship court judge Suzanne Pinel, city councillors Catherine Kitts, Matt Luloff and Laura Dudas, Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, MPP Stephen Blais and former French public school board principal Pierre Campeau.
This year’s individual recipients are:
• Emma Ellsworth
• Ayla Martin
• Fadila Hijazi
• Eric Mercer
• George Huang
• Asiq Gazi
• Sweny Saija
• Gavin Hickey
• Evan Simcoe
• Gabriel Toreja
• Elizabeth Vroom
• Claire Rea
• Jacob Cheslock
• Robyn Eustace
• Evangeline Tabiou
• Timeo Atonfo
• Sophia Cooney
• Sophie LaVasseur
• Valérie LaVasseur
Two teams have also been chosen to receive an Outstanding Youth Award this year. They are the U12 Cumberland Panthers, which won the Ontario Football Fall Cup provincial championship; and the St. Matthew Tigers varsity football team which won the city championship and the National Capital Bowl.
Unfortunately, not everyone nominated can receive an award. This year’s Honourable Mentions include Adrian Laszkiewicz, Emma Barteau, Mackenzie Cosh, Jessica Bulinski, Donovan Rawlings, Scarlett Noordhof and Kamila Serra King.
Each recipient will receive their personalized trophy, or Honourable Mention certificate, along with several copies of the commemorative program, by special delivery.
The Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards would not be possible without the generous support of presenting sponsors Collège La Cité, Université St.-Paul and Collège Boréal, gold level sponsor M.L. Bradley Ltd. and more than a dozen individual award sponsors.
CANADA DAY AT THE LEGION – Canadian Legion Branch 632 on Taylor Creek Road will be hosting a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities with music and food starting at 11 am. FREE FOR EVERYONE 
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
STRAY DOG BREWING COMPANY presents Crroked Creek live and in concert in their taproom. From Montreal, Crooked Creek effortlessly blends bluegrass and country music genres. Tickets $15 available at 
