The 5th Annual Orleans Online Outstanding Youth Awards recipients

 

Ambuj Dewan, 17

As the top graduating student in the entire east end last year, Ambuj Dewan is the recipient of this year’s Crystal Award. The former Gloucester High School student received the top mark in every course he took to compile a 97.8 per cent average. It was the fourth straight year that Ambuj pulled off the feat. He put his skills to good use as captain of Gloucester’s Reach for the Top team which won the silver medal at the provincial championships and a bronze medal at the national Reach for the Top tournament in Edmonton. Ambuj also took part in the Chem 13 science competition and played trumpet in the school band. He currently is majoring in biology at McGill University. For his outstanding academic achievement, Ambuj Dewan is the recipient of this year’s Crystal Award.

 

Lindsay Anderson, 16

In the sport of triathlon there are very few young athletes who possess the same combination of talent and dedication as 16-year-old Lindsay Anderson. This past summer, Lindsay placed sixth at the Canadian Junior Championships competing against girls who were three years her senior. At the high school level she was a triple gold medalist in cross-country and track and field. She finished first in the junior girls race at the National Capital secondary school cross country championships last fall and won the junior girls 1500 and 3000 metre events at the National Capital secondary school track and field championships in June while competing for the Colonel By Cougars. She went on to have success in both sports at the provincial level, winning a silver medal at the OFSAA cross country championships in Thunder Bay and a gold medal in the junior girls 3,000 metres at the OFSAA track and field championships in Ottawa. On top of it all she managed to maintain a 90 per cent average. For her tireless dedication to her sport and her commitment to excellence, Lindsay Anderson has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards..

 

Cody Lombardo, 14

Just reading 14-year-old Cody Lombardo’s busy schedule would put most adults to shame. His typical day starts at 4:30 a.m. when he must wake up to go to swimming practice at the University of Ottawa which runs from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.. After practice he makes his way to Colonel By Secondary School, usually by bus, where he is enrolled in the demanding International Baccalaureate program. After school he practices with the school band before heading back to the pool for another two hours of swimming practice. Despite his busy schedule he also finds time to volunteer for the Gloucester Association for Children with Special Needs and helps an elderly neighbour with her chores. For being able to balance academics, athletics and volunteerism at such a high level, Cody Lombardo has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Sherwin Habibi, 17

Seventeen-year-old Sherwin Habibi is a gifted student as well as a third degree black belt in Taekwon-Do. As a Grade 11 student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School last year, he finished at the top of his class in French, biology, chemistry and graphic media communications which helped him achieve an average of 97.3 per cent. In an effort to pass along his study skills to others, Sherwin developed a very structured way of studying for different subjects which he has employed with great success a volunteer tutor. He also help found the school’s peer support/tutoring program and was one of the driving forces behind a fundraising campaign to raise money for CHEO. Away from school, Sherwin devoted a minimum of two hours a week volunteering and assisting in teaching Taekwondo to others including students at the Bishop Hamilton Montessori School. He also enjoys playing soccer and badminton and is an active member of the Bahá'i community, participating in the Ruhi study circle youth group which last year took part in the Adopt-a-Highway clean-up campaign in Orléans. If all that wasn’t enough he also works part time at the Future Shop. For his many achievements and willingness to help others maximize their potential Sherwin Habibi has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Ivanie Blondin, 17

Depuis cinq ans, Ivanie Blondin a réussi à accumuler une longue liste d’exploits dans son ascension parmi l'élite des jeunes patineurs de vitesse sur courte piste au Canada. En 2006-2007, elle a allongé cette liste en participant à sa première course de la Coupe du monde; elle s’est qualifiée parmi les finaliste ‘A’ aux 1500 mètres et a remporté une médaille d’or au relais 3000 mètres en tant que membre de l’équipe du Canada. Un mois plus tard, elle a remporté une médaille de bronze au relais 2000 mètres comme membre de l’équipe du Canada au championnat du monde junior en République tchèque. Aux Jeux d'hiver du Canada à Whitehorse, elle a remporté une médaille d’or et deux d'argent comme membre de l’équipe Ontario. L’été dernier, elle a participé au championnat national junior de cyclisme sur piste, à Bromont, au Québec, et a réussi à remporter une médaille d'argent dans la course de 2 km malgré le fait qu'elle a commencé à pratiquer ce sport l'an dernier. Lorsqu’elle ne fait pas de la compétition, Ivanie visite les écoles d’Orléans et de Rockland pour parler aux étudiants de l’importance de maintenir un équilibre entre le sport, le travail scolaire et ses autres intérêts. Pour ses réalisations sur glace et ailleurs et son dépassement constant, Ivanie Blondin a été choisie cette année comme récipiendaire d’un des prix pour les jeunes qui se sont distingués.

 

Amanda Bentley-Desousa, 14

Although diminutive in stature, 14-year-old Amanda Bentley-Desousa has the heart of a lion as evident by the two gold medals she won at this year’s WKA Canadian Sport Karate Championships despite competing with a severe knee injury she suffered while playing varsity rugby with the Colonel By Cougars. The fact that she made the team is a testament to her competitive spirit. In June she started feeling some pain in her right foot, which is the main foot she uses to balance on when she does her kata or forms routine. After seeing a doctor she learned that the tendon running along the side and top of her foot was strained. The injury was still bothering her a great deal when she went to Germany in September to represent Canada at the WKA World Championships. Despite the pain, she managed to win a silver medal in kata and a bronze medal in points fighting. When she’s not competing Amanda can be found passing on her knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport to others as a Sensei, or coach, at the Elite Karate and Martial Arts Centre in Orléans. Amanda is a remarkable young girl who doesn’t let her size prevent her from competing at the highest level. She is also an excellent student and extremely kind and considerate to her friends and peers. For her tireless dedication to her sport and her willingness to pass along her passion to others, Amanda Bentley-Desousa has been selected as a recipient for one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Segun Makinde, 17

In 2006/2007 Segun Makinde burst onto the local track and field scene like few others before him. In just his first year competing, he won a gold and silver medal in the 100 and 200 metre events at the National Legion Games, instantly becoming one of the fastest 15-year-old sprinters in the country and earning one of last year’s Outstanding Youth Awards in the process. This year Segun topped his successful rookie campaign by winning a gold medal in the junior boys 200 and a silver medal in the 100 metres at the provincial high school championships in Ottawa. His time in the 200 metres was good enough to qualify him for the World Youth Championships in the Czech Republic where he represented Canada admirably by advancing to the semi-finals. Away from the track Segun continued to maintain an average in the high 80s at Colonel By Secondary School and played drums in the school band. For his tremendous abilities on the track and for representing his community and country at such a high level, Segun Makinde has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Kira Isabelle Wilkie, 14

Like her singing partner Alex Lacasse, 14-year-old Kira Isabella maintains a busy singing schedule while attending Grade 9 at St. Peter High School. During the past year she has performed at close to a dozen retirement homes in the Ottawa area, bringing the joy of music to seniors, many of whom are shut-ins. After each performance she spends time mingling with the audience members who often want to chat and reminisce. Some of the highlights of the past year include singing the National Anthem at the Greater Orléans Canada Celebration, singing at the Fallingbrook Family Funfest, and performing at the Run for the Cure event in Ottawa. As a solo artist, Kira won the Kiwanis Cornwall Lift-Off Competition and placed second at the Ontario Open Country Singing Contest in Blythe, Ontario. For her tremendous dedication to her craft and her willingness and enthusiasm to share her gift with others, Kira Isabella Wilkie has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Malcolm Jones, 13

Malcolm Jones is a very busy 13-year-old. Besides being a member of the 14th Gloucester Sea Scouts, he is also a member of the 632 Phoenix Air Cadet Squadron attending every community event and doing double duty on tag days and during the annual Poppy Campaign. As a member of the Sea Scouts he received the Chief Scout Award this past summer and attended the 100th anniversary Jamboree. To help pay for the trip he spent time every week collecting discarded beer and wine bottles from the wooded park areas around Orléans. And while those are some of the reasons the judges chose Malcolm to receive one of this year’s Orleans Online Outstanding Youth Awards they don’t tell the whole story of this remarkable young man. During the past year he undertook two selfless acts that stand out from all his other achievements, however. A gifted figure skater in his own right, Malcolm teamed up with his younger sister last winter so that she could experience the joy of ice dancing. Together the pair placed second at a competition in Prescott and sixth at the Eastern Ontario Sectionals. Malcolm’s second selfless act was in volunteering to walk a fellow student to school every morning and the home again in the afternoon. The student, who was blind, lived on a street on Malcolm’s way to school. Because he lived outside the designated walking area for St. Pete’s he would ordinarily have taken the bus. Instead he walked to the student’s house, picked her up, walked with her to school and then took her to her locker and first class before proceeding to his own homeroom. He did this for the entire school year. For all his endeavours and the selflessness with which he has conducted himself, Malcolm Jones has been selected as a a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Michelle LaRocque, 17

Like many of the nominees for this years Outstanding Youth Awards, 17-year-old Michelle Laroque leads a very busy life. She’s an active member of the Catholic Women’s League at her church. She plays the flute in the choir and volunteers at the Shepherds of Good Hope Soup Kitchen. At school, the Grade 12 student is on the yearbook committee and is a member of the Youth Ministry, the senior band, the Athletic Council, the Global Outreach Club and the student council on which she serves as the event co-ordinator. Last but not least, she is a talented volleyball player. She is a member of the Ottawa Mavericks U17 competitive volleyball team and last year was the co-captain of Lester B. Pearson Panthers senior girls team which made it all the way to the NCSSAA semi-finals. For her ability to balance athletics and academics and for taking an active role in the daily life of her school, Michelle Laroque has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Élyse, Marc and Paul Maisonneuve

Élyse, Marc and Paul Maisonneuve, son frère Paul et sa soeur Élyse fréquentent tous l’école secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde où ils ont contribué à lancer un projet environnemental en l’honneur de leur soeur Karyne qui est décédée en juillet 2006 après une lutte de deux ans contre le cancer. Le Projet Karyne vise à recueillir des fonds pour acheter des panneaux solaires et une éolienne dans le cadre du nouveau programme d'études environnementales de l’école. Élyse préside le comité de collecte de fonds de l'école, avec l'aide de ses frères Paul et Marc. Ils ont travaillé tous les trois ensemble à la création en l’honneur de leur soeur d’un héritage durable qui sera fort utile pour sensibiliser les futurs étudiants de l’école aux dangers éventuels de pollution atmosphérique et aux sources d’énergie renouvelable. Pour avoir contribué à lancer le projet Karyne et à recueillir des fonds suffisants pour financer la première phase du projet, Marc, Paul et Élyse Maisonneuve ont été choisis cette année comme récipiendaires des prix d’Orléans pour les jeunes qui se sont distingués.

 

Rebecca Kalinger, 13

Thirteen-year-old Rebecca Kalinger is a multi-talented young girl as well as a gifted student. In January of this year, she received First Class Honours with Distinction on her Grade 6 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) voice examination. In February she received her fifth trophy from the Gloucester Music Teachers’ Association for having achieved the top mark on her Grade 7 RCM piano exam and she also found time to take part in the Trinity Exams for Speech and Drama, earning the distinction of scoring over 85 per cent. At the Kiwanis Music Festival in May she competed in three different disciplines – piano, speech arts and classical vocal and did exceptionally well, winning her second straight Sandrine Craig Memorial Trophy for the highest score among 12- and 13-year-olds in speech arts as well as the Pauline Taylor Award for Speech Arts and the Miriam Anderson Memorial Trophy for solo classical vocal. She was also invited to perform her monologue during the festival Highlights Concert which brings together the top performances from the month long competition. After being home schooled last year Rebecca enrolled at Canterbury High School where she is the youngest person in the Grade 9 music program and has so far managed to maintain a 95 per cent average. For her dedication and commitment to the arts while achieving a high academic standard, Rebecca Kalinger has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Alex Lacasse, 15

Fifteen-year-old Alex Lacasse is an amazingly talented singer who has used his unique gift to bring happiness and joy to numerous community gatherings, seniors residences and charitable events. Together with fellow Outstanding Youth Award recipient Kira Isabella, he has entertained crowds at such diverse events as the Orléans Oktoberfest Celebration, the Ottawa Ex and the Breast Cancer Action Walk. Alex and Kira took first place in the Seaway Talent Search Contest and won a cross-Canada high school musical singing contest. The past year also saw Alex complete his Grade 5 Royal Conservatory Piano Exam with First Class Honours and his Grade 1 Theory Exam with First Class Honours with Distinction. For his many achievements and for his generosity in sharing his talent with others, Alex Lacasse has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Nolan Beanlands, 17

Seventeen-year-old Nolan Beanlands exemplifies the concept of a well-rounded student. Last year he finished with an 87 per cent average while a student at Colonel By Secondary School where he was a member of the student council and organized and took part in a head shaving event to raise money for the Candlelighters Foundation for children with cancer. He also competed on the school’s cross country, track and field and Nordic skiing teams. Even though he was competing as a senior for the first year, he placed seventh at the East Ottawa secondary school cross country meet; sixth in the steeplechase at the National Capital secondary school track and field championships and seventh at the NCSSAA Nordic skiing championships. He also found time to participate in the school’s production of “Disney’s High School Musical”. Last but not least, he taught kids between the ages of six and 15 how to play tennis at the Orléans Tennis Club’s summer camp. For his many accomplishments Nolan Beanlands has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Emma Bohn, 10, and
Mary Kathryn Bohn, 16

Emma Bohn, 10, and Mary Kathryn Bohn, 11, are two young dynamos who have been ripping up the stage in competitive dancing. Last spring they received the highest mark for a duet or trio, 10 and under, at the American Dance Awards regional competition in Ottawa and then went on to accomplish the same task at the ADA National Championships in Orlando which brings together the top competitors from the regional ADA events throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. Their routine was also good enough to place in the top eight among the junior duets and trios under-12 which earned them an invitation to the Diamond DanceOff which traditionally brings the National Championships to a close. As a solo dancer, young Emma also won the Junior Dancer of the Year title in Ottawa and earned the top overall mark for her solo performance at the Ottawa Candance event in April. Finally the two girls were part of several ensemble routines that earned the Leeming Danceworks studio a bevy of trophies and awards. For their tireless dedication to their craft and for their many accomplishments during the past year Emma and Mary Kathryn Bohn have selected as recipients of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Edgardo Montes, 17

Sixteen-year-old Cardinal Heights resident Edgardo Montes is one of the top young water polo players in the country. Last year, he helped lead the Club Aqua Polo Cadet team to the first Cadet level Canadian championship in the club’s 25 year history and was selected as the tournament MVP. In July he was selected to the Canadian National Youth Team that won a bronze medal at the Youth Pan-American Games in the Dominican Republic. Edgardo impressed his coaches with his play and leadership skills both in the pool and in the dressing room. As Canada continues to build it’s water polo program, Edgardo will is certain to play a key roll in its future success. For his tireless dedication to his support and his ongoing commitment to excellence Edgardo Montes has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Amanda Pinhey, 17

Seventeen-year-old Amanda Pinhey is a tremendously multi-talented young lady who goes out of her way to give guidance and encouragement to others. She was one of the original members of the Cross Town Youth Chorus and is the first CTYC member to graduate to the Cumberland Community Singers. In the spring she auditioned for Canadian Idol and made it to the second set of auditions. Amanda is also a Sparks volunteer and spends one evening a week working with two autistic children to give their parents a brief respite. At school she plays tuba in the school band, sings with the Jazz ensemble and acts as the student liaison on the parent council. Amanda is also deeply involved at Queenswood United Church where at various times you can find her supervising the nursery, singing in the Praise Team choir, raising money for various charities as a member of the church youth group or providing a voice for her peers on the broader church council. Last March, she went on a school to Cuernavaca, Mexico to do humanitarian work and was nominated for the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Junior Citizen of the Year Award. For her many efforts in the service of her church and community Amanda Pinhey has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Sean Decloux, 14

The past year has been an extremely successful one for Sean Decloux. He was a valuable member of Grade 7/8 soccer, volleyball and track and field teams as well as the co-captain of the basketball team and a member of the school’s athletic council. Away from the field of play, Sean was actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities including the school band. Despite his busy schedule, Sean managed to achieve an 87 per cent average and was named to the school’s Honour Roll For his efforts he received the Grade 7 Lynx Student of the Year Award for overall academics and school involvement and the Alexandria McLean Award presented to the student who best demonstrates leadership skills in helping others. Away from school, Sean was the captain of the Capital United Soccer Club’s U13 Regional team which made it all the way to the Ontario Cup semi-finals. For his ability to balance both academics and athletics at such a high level, Sean Decloux has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Tania Bariteau, 16

Tania Bariteau est une étudiante de 10e année de l’école secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges d’Orléans. Elle a commencé à faire du taekwondo à 6 ans. À 9 ans, elle a obtenu sa ceinture noire et est maintenant 2e dan. En 2006, elle a participé à son premier championnat du monde junior, à Brisebane, en Australie. Même si elle n’a pas remporté de médaille, elle est revenue plus déterminée que jamais à améliorer sa technique et ses aptitudes au combat. Après s’être entraînée jusqu’à 8 heures par semaine pendant presque un an, elle a été admise au sein de l’équipe féminine junior canadienne et a remporté deux médailles d'argent et trois de bronze au championnat du monde junior tenu en Angleterre en août. L’objectif actuel de Tania est de participer à la coupe du monde junior ITF au Népal l’an prochain, puis au championnat du monde de 2010 qui aura lieu à Ottawa. Pour avoir s’être tant dévouée à son sport et avoir si bien représenté son pays à l’étranger, Tania a été choisie cette année comme récipiendaire d’un des prix pour les jeunes qui se sont distingués.

 

Charles Williams, 17

Seventeen-year-old Charles Williams is an up and coming graphic artist who is already making a name for himself in the field. Last year he won a Polar Award for a poster he created to help promote environmental awareness in a contest run by Ottawa-Orléans MP Phil McNeely. But his greatest achievement was in placing first in North America and fifth in the the world out of 5,000 entrants who took part in the Hewlett-Packard MTV global laptop design contest entitled “Take Action, Make Art”. When he’s not working on his latest creation, Charles often volunteers at his church where he mentors younger members and helps out wherever he is needed. Through it all Charles is also doing well at school while holding down a part time job. For his accomplishments in the wold of computer art design and for taking time to mentor other young people, Charles Williams has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Award.

 

Eric Stewart, 13

The past year was one of transition for 13-year-old Eric Stewart. After spending six years in the English public school system, he enrolled in the sports program at École secondaire publique Louis Riel where he managed to attain a 70 per cent average. On the ski slopes, Eric finished the 2007 season ranked fifth in his age group in the Outaouais Ski Zone. He went on to compete at the Quebec Provincial Championships where he finished second in the Super G and 14th overall. When not studying or skiing, Eric volunteered for a number of community events including the Heart of Orléans “Clean Up The Capital” initiative along St. Joseph Blvd. and the Orleans Oktoberfest Celebration. For his willingness and ability to adapt to new surroundings and for striving to do better both in his chosen sport and as a member of the greater community, Eric Stewart has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Samantha Sproule, 13

Thirteen-year-old Samantha Sproule is a gifted musician, and a talented skiier who takes an active role in her school community. Last year, she had the distinction of being selected to play bass in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s All-Star Jazz Band which is no small feat. She also represented her Grade 7 class on the student council at Dunning Foubert Elementary School and this year she’s been chosen by her peers to be the Head Girl. During the winter months, Samantha can usually be found on the ski slopes where she earned her Grade 7 ski school designation last year. Samantha is also an excellent student and a valuable member of the school’s senior girls basketball team. For her many accomplishments inside the classroom, on stage and on the field of play, Samantha Sproule has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Joshua Simpson, 12

Like several of the recipients already mentioned, Joshua Simpson has gone above and beyond what is normally expected of someone his age. As one of the top students at Queenswood Public School last year, Joshua took an active role in nearly every club and sport at the school. Among his more noteworthy activities were helping to coach the school’s volleyball team, acting as lunch monitor for the primary classes, organizing the Christmas talent show and being a peer mentor to younger students. Not only did he excel as a school leader and athlete, but he also consistently scored high academically. For his achievements in the areas of academics and athletics and for taking an active role in the daily life of his school, Joshua Simpson has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Christie Corrigan, 8

At just eight years of age, Christie Corrigan has already established herself as a positive role model for her peers. She consistently achieved the highest mark at her grade level in all subject areas. She often voluntarily helps others and has shown tremendous leadership skills, especially as a member of the school’s environmental action team. As an Environmental Action Representative, or EAR, she represented Trillium Elementary School at the Earth Care Expo where Trillium won the Jenny Award for outstanding contribution to the environment by a school. She also participated in the primary choir and was a member of the school cross country and track and field teams. Outside of school she’s involved in dance, baseball and her church. For striving to become a well-rounded student and for consistently taking on new initiatives with energy and enthusiasm, Christie Corrigan has been chosen as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

 

Alex Bergeron, 13

The years that encompass Grade 7 and 8 can often be an awkward period for many young people as they try to find their place among their peers and the world at large. During the past year, 13-year-old Alex Bergeron has evolved and matured into a confident and self-assured young man who has increasingly taken on a leadership role at Henry Munro Middle School in Beacon Hill. Besides being a strong and well disciplined student in the school’s French Immersion Program, he has also displayed leadership skills on a number of the school’s sports teams. After winning the school’s “Principal for the Day” contest, his first decision was to proclaim the day “Hat Day” in order to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. As one of the student leaders at Henry Munro, Alex has made a conscientious effort to help out his fellow students. For taking on a leadership roll at his school and being a positive influence on his peers, Alex Bergeron has been chosen as a recipient of one of this year’s Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

If you have any questions or require more information call Fred Sherwin at 447-2829 or e-mail OYA@orleansonline.ca.