The 7th Annual
Orleans Online Outstanding Youth Awards recipients
Dorothy
Krolak , 17
Dorothy
Krolak is an accomplished student and athlete at St. Peter High School where
she is heavily involved in a variety of activities including
mentoring Grade 7 and 8 students. She is captain of the school’s cross-country
team and has been an active member of the alpine ski team for the past three
years. She is also a member of the school’s track and field team and
qualified for the senior girls 1500 metres at the OFSAA East Regional Championships.
Academically, Dorothy was able to maintain a 92 per cnet average last year
and in 2007 she won the Grade 10 science awaerd. Away from school, Dorothy
is an active member of Divine Infant Parish’s youth program called
“Edge” which reaches out to students in Grades 6-8 to bring them
into the greater community. Last but not least, Dorothy is a gifted pianist
having completed her RCM Grade 9 exam. In 2006, she decided to share her
gift by starting her own business as a piano teacher. For demonstrating
a high proficiency in academics and athletics while still finding time to
stay active in her community, Dorothy Krolak has been selected as this year’s
Crystal Award recipient.
Alistair
Butt, 17
Alistair
Butt is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at École secondaire catholique
Béatrice-Desloges. As a rookie coach with the Gloucester-Cumberland
Basketball Association, Alistair helped guide his Atom level team to a successful
season despite not being the official head coach. According to the association’s
rules you must by at least 18 years old to coach recreation basketball.
Since he was only 16, Alistair recruited his father and older brother to
share the duties. Even so, he designed all the drills, ran all the practices
and otherwise fulfilled all the requirements of the position. At the end
of the House League season, Alistair went out and earned his Level 1 Coaching
Certificate. He is back coaching again this year, but because he is not
yet 18, he had to once again recruit his father to act as the head coach.
Alistair is also a wonderful champion of vision issues. He raises money
for Seva Canada every year and also pays for eye surgeries for children
around the world, largely through his “Eyeballs for Eyesight”
campaign. As part of his efforts, Alistair organized a concert at his school
which was well received by students and staff and raised a considerable
amount of money. During the past year, Alistair participated in the Missoula
Children’s Theatre production of “Hansel and Gretel”, during
which he helped out the younger performers. He also taught piano and refereed
community basketball. Alistair is the rhythm section leader of the school
band and plays bass clarinet and piano. He entered the Waterloo Fermat Grade
11 math competition earlier this year and received a certificate of distinction,
despite the fact that Béatrice-Desloges is a semestered school and
he has not yet taken Grade 11 math. Because of his positive commitment to
community sports, international vision issues and music, Alistair Butt has
been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth
Awards.
Vicki
Savard , 17
Au
cours de la dernière année, Vicki Savard n’a jamais cessé
de faire preuve d’engagement, d’un leadership inné et de
prouesses athlétiques. L’an dernier, elle a été
choisie pour faire partie de l’équipe senior de l’école
secondaire publique Louis-Riel même si elle était encore d’âge
junior. Bien qu’elle était la plus jeune sur son équipe,
elle a joué un rôle clé dans le succès des Rebelles
y compris la victoire au palier 1 ‘A’ au championnat de l’Association
athlétique des écoles secondaires de la capitale nationale
et dans l’obtention d’une médaille d’argent aux championnats
provinciaux de la Fédération des associations du sport scolaire
de l’Ontario (FASSO). Elle a aussi beaucoup aidé l’équipe
de volleyball communautaire les Ottawa Mavericks U16 à se mériter
une médaille d’argent aux championnats nationaux à Moncton,
Nouveau-Brunswick. En plus du volleyball, Vicki est membre des équipes
de basketball, de hockey et de soccer de Louis-Riel et elle est coach bénévole
au niveau intermédiaire. Sur le plan académique, Vicki a réussi
à maintenir une moyenne de 85% en dépit de ses nombreuses
entreprises athlétiques. À l’extérieur de l’école,
Vicki démontre un grand intérêt à aider les personnes
ayant une déficience physique ou intellectuelle, ce qui date du temps
où, à 11 ans, elle aidait et prenait soin d’un jeune
voisin handicapé. Récemment, elle s’est inscrite à
titre de bénévole à l’Hôpital de Gatineau
suite à l’obtention de son diplôme l’été
prochain. Ses nombreux exploits tant au volleyball qu’à l’extérieur
de l’école lui méritent donc le Prix de Jeunesse Exceptionnelle.
Daniel
Lalonde , 14
Daniel
Lalonde is an exceptional young man whose life had an exceptional beginning.
After his parents went through years of fertility treatment, Daniel had
a very traumatic birth. His heart had stopped and after an emergency Caesarean
he required a number of blood transfusions before he was finally in the
clear. Daniel’s mother and father operate a long term group home for
boys with emotional, behavioral and psychological disabilities who he has
accepted as his brothers, treating them with dignity and love. Daniel is
also an avid hockey player and is currently a member of the Cumberland Junior
Grads Major Bantam team. He does not take his talent for granted, however,
and at any given time you can find him patiently teaching the game to his
brothers under difficult conditions. He also wants to do his required high
school community service hours with the Ambassador League, which is a local
hockey program for kids with disabilities. What makes Daniel an exceptional
young man is his dedication to his sport and desire to share his knowledge
and understanding of the game with others who live with special needs. For
these qualities, Daniel Lalonde has been selected as a recipient of one
of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Catherine
Higginson, 9
Kimberly Higginson, 11
Catherine
and Kimberly Higginson are sisters who share a common purpose to help find
a cure for cancer in their lifetime. In April 2008, Catherine talked with
her mother about doing something for cancer patients and decided to donate
her hair to an organization that makes wigs for patients who have lost their
hair during radiation treatment. After doing some research they found out
that it took 12 ponytails to make a wig. Over the next several weeks she
managed to encourage 47 people to donate their hair and raised $5,000 during
the Catherine’s Pretty Ponytails Campaign. Last spring, Catherine’s
younger sister Kimberly took up the cause and together they managed to collect
63 ponytails and raise more than $16,000. Buoyed by their success, the two
young ladies plan to continue the campaign again next spring. For raising
awareness of the fight against cancer among their peers and for their selfless
efforts in collecting ponytails to make wigs to improve the lives of young
cancer patients, Catherine and Kimberly Higginson have been selected as
recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Tolu
Makinde , 16
Tolu
Makinde is a rising star on the track and field scene in the National Capital
region. Last spring, the Colonel By Secondary School student qualified for
the provincial high school championships in the junior boys 100 and 200
metres. After failing to make the final in the 200, he placed fourth in
the 100 metres. He then ran the anchor leg for Colonel By in the senior
boys 4 x100 relay in which they became the first team from the Ottawa-area
to win a gold medal in the event. In June, Tolu won two gold medals at the
Ontario Legion Track and Field Championships competing in the 17 and under
age group as a 16-year-old. Two weeks later he ran a career best 22.15 to
capture the gold medal in the 200 metre final at the Ontario Age Group Championships
in the 16 and under division. The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club member
put an exclamation point on his season by capturing the bronze medal in
the 200 metres at the Canadian Legion Championships in July and placed fourth
in the 200 metres in a career best time of 10.90 seconds. to compete successfully
at the provincial and national level takes a tremendous amount of dedication
and commitment. Tolu use those same qualities to maintain a 90 per cent
average in Colonel By’s International Baccalaureate program. For his
outstanding accomplishments both on the track and in the classroom, Tolu
Makinde has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Outstanding
Youth Awards.
Karine
Landry , 17
Karine
Landry est profondément engagée envers l’environnement
et le combat contre les changements climatiques. Suite au décès
en 2006 de Karyne Maisonneuve, âgée de neuf ans, à cause
de complications reliées aux traitements contre le cancer, elle s’est
jointe à la famille Maisonneuve pour lancer le Projet Karyne, un
organisme environnemental local relié à l’école
secondaire publique Gisèle Lalonde qui cherche à promouvoir
une responsabilité environnementale appropriée à partir
de sources d’énergie alternatives. Karine a apporté beaucoup
de soutien à la famille Maisonneuve aussi bien durant la maladie
de Karyne qu’après son décès. En tant que membre
de Projet Karyne, elle a contribué à l’organisation d’activités
communautaires et de concours interscolaires y compris une course de bateaux
solaires en septembre. Toutefois, l’implication de Karine dans sa communauté
ne se limite pas exclusivement à des initiatives environnementales.
Elle est également bénévole à CHEO et est une
des principales organisatrices de Projet Sénégal : un
programme humanitaire à l’école secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde.
Au fait, elle a déjà accumulé plus de 140 heures de
service communautaire. Elle s’est portée bénévole
à la Course Terry Fox, est membre active du groupe étudiant
Exposé contre le tabagisme et donne des cours d’aide en chimie.
Au niveau académique, elle a été inscrite au Tableau
d’honneur au cours des trois dernières années avec une
moyenne au-delà de 90 pour cent. En raison de ses efforts pour promouvoir
une plus grande responsabilité environnementale auprès des
élèves de son âge, des nombreuses heures qu’elle
consacre au service de la communauté et de son rendement académique
Karine Landry a été choisie à titre de récipiendaire
du Prix de Jeunesse Exceptionnelle de cette année.
Ian
Little, 16
Sixteen-year-old
Ian Little is a young man with a very busy schedule. An avid soccer enthusiast,
he plays with the Gloucester Dragons in the summer and indoor soccer in
the winter. He also plays on his high school team and referees whenever
he’s asked. When he’s not playing soccer he can usually be found
pursuing his other passion – acting. Ian has appeared in a number of
Orleans Young Players productions, as well as Missoula Children’s Theatre
which led to his deciding to audition for the drama program at Canterbury
High School where he made the Honour Roll in both Grade 9 and 10 having
attained an 89 per cent average. Last year he received the highest mark
in his grade for mathematics and outdoor education. Ian is
also an active member of the 14th Gloucester Scout Troop. Among his many
accomplishments, Ian was awarded the Centennial Medal in 2007 for his exceptional
leadership and service within the Scouting community. Ian is also an active
volunteer. Despite earning his required community service hours during his
first two years at Canterbury, he continues to volunteer his time for a
number of initiatives and fundraising events. For exemplifying
the definition of a well-rounded student, Ian Little has been selected as
a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Samantha
Clarke, 9
On
August 8 2007, nine-year-old Samantha Clarke lost her beloved grandfather
to lung cancer. The next day she taped a handmade envelop to her
bedroom door into which friends and family would deposit money every week.
In addition to this she raised $100 for the Terry Fox Run. Shortly afterwards
she started making bracelets which she sold to raise money for cancer research.
For Christmas 2007, Samantha asked her family to give her money, instead
of gifts, which she donated to cancer research. She also asked Santa to
bring her money instead of toys. She did relent, just a little, and would
willingly accept gifts, if they were crafts that she could make and exchange
for donations. A few weeks later, Samantha created a website so people could
order her crafts and donate money online. The website is called Samantha’s
Wish and at last count she has raised over $12,000. For her selfless efforts
in helping to raise funds in the battle against cancer, Samantha Clarke
has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding
Youth Awards.
Alexander
Cosenza,
15
Alexander
Cosenza is a Grade 10 student at Colonel By High School where he is enrolled
in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. In Grade 9 he achieved
a 92 per cent average while participating on the school’s Reach for
the Top team. He was also a finalist in the school debating tournament and
did well enough to earn a spot on Colonel By’s debating team. He received
an award at the Ottawa Regional Historica Fair and represented the National
Capital Region at the National Fair in Victoria, B.C. Alexander is a gifted
musician who plays the flute, clarinet and piano and recently completed
his Grade 7 Royal Conservatory of Music exam with First Class Honours. When
he’s not studying or playing piano, Alexander can often be found on
the golf course where he competed in three high school tournaments this
fall. He also plays hockey and is a member of the Cumberland Bantom B hockey
team. For his outstanding achievements in the fields of academics, the arts
and athletics, Alexandre Cosenza has been selected as a recipient of one
of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Lydia
Barrett, 17
Lydia Barrett is an extremely accomplished and involved individual both
at school and in the community at large. She is incredibly giving, talented,
and selfless. Last March, Lydia earned critical acclaim and praise for her
role as Belle in the St. Peter Players’ production of “Beauty
and the Beast”. The demands upon her were enormous as she had daily
rehearsals beginning in September 2008 and continuing until the 4-night
production run. While doing this, she was the layout editor of the school
yearbook; a leader at the St. Peter Leadership Camp; and participated in
the school’s 24-hour fast to raise funds for World Vision. Lydia was
also an Honour Roll student, with an overall grade-point average above 85
per cent. Furthermore, she is an active member of her church community and
was as a member of the Divine Infant Church Youth Band. Her dependability,
enthusiasm and positive attitude has resulted in her being elected as student
council co-president for 2009-2010 and emcee for St. Peter’s graduation
ceremony. For her tremendous leadership qualities and for her willingness
to support her peers, Lydia Barrett has been selected as a recipient of
this year’s Outstanding Youth awards.
Myriam
Venasse, 15
À
son jeune âge de 15 ans, Myriam Venasse fait preuve d’un potentiel
plus rare et plus impressionnant que celui de la plupart des adultes pour
bien équilibrer ce qui compte le plus dans la vie. Au niveau académique
elle déborde d’énergie et excelle surtout dans le domaine
des mathématiques, des sciences et de l’informatique. Elle donne
bénévolement des cours de mathématiques au niveau de
la 9e année et a participé avec succès à un
bon nombre de compétitions mathématiques. À l’extérieur
de l’école, elle s’est récemment inscrite aux arts
martiaux et, comme toujours, elle s’y est lancée corps et âme.
Myriam agit comme instructrice adjointe bénévole auprès
des enfants de 5 à 10 ans à la Orléans Martial Arts
School. Elle est très sérieuse dans ce rôle et ces jeunes
la voient vraiment comme une mentor. En plus, elle garde des enfants et
travaille à temps partiel à la Clinique de physiothérapie
d’Orléans. En dépit de son horaire chargé, Myriam
réussit à maintenir une moyenne académique de 87 pour
cent. En raison de l’altruisme qu’elle a démontré
en aidant les gens de son âge et de son habileté à maintenir
de hauts rendements académiques tout en venant bénévolement
en aide aux autres durant ses temps libres, Myriam Vanasse a été
choisie à titre de récipiendaire du Prix de Jeunesse Exceptionnelle
de cette année.
Moiz
Lakhani, 8
Eight-year-old
Moiz Lakhani is a very busy young man who can often be found sharing his
love of South Asia music and dance at multicultural events in both Ontario
and Quebec. In July, he performed at the 1st Annual South Asian Festival
at Confederation Park and more recently he was invited to perform at the
Orléans Multicultural Festival. Moiz is also interested in community
service and this past year raised $700 in one month in support of the World
Partnership Walk. When Moiz isn’t working on his vocal and musical
performance, he can usually be found pursuing his other love – karate.
Since taking up the sport at the tender age of six, Moiz has won a roomful
of trophies. At the Quebec Open Championships last spring, Moiz won a silver
medal in his age group in creative open forms and placed fifth in traditional
forms and weapons. For his efforts in promoting South Asian culture though
music and dance and the dedication he’s shown in his pursuit of the
martial arts, Moiz Lakhani has been selected as a recipient of this year’s
Outstanding Youth Awards.
Lindsay
White, 12
Twelve-year-old
Lindsay White has been pursuing her passion for the
performing arts and sharing her gift with others for the past four years.
In the spring of 2008 she was awarded first place honours in the musical
theatre class at the Kiwanis Music Festival. Later the same year, she successfully
auditioned for the role of the Artificial Nightingale in the GOYA production
of “A Little Bird Told Me”. She also won the prestigious “Gala
Revelations”, a Quebec Youth Talent Show which brought together more
than 1,000 competitors from across Eastern Canada. This past summer, Lindsay
won the Kanata Youth Talent Competition and was a finalist at the 2009 “Stars
on the Rise” talent competition. When not competing, Lindsay pursues
her love of music through various volunteer opportunities at seniors residences,
retirement homes and fundraising events such as the CHEO Telethon and the
Spirit of Youth Awards. For her dedication to her craft and for selflessly
sharing her talent with others, Lindsay White has been selected as a recipient
of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Erin
Phillipps, 17
Erin
Phillipps is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at St. Peter High School where
she is a gifted student, a peer leader and an athletic force competing on
no less than five different school teams. While Erin enjoys basketball,
volleyball, field hockey and touch football, her first love is softball.
This past summer she was asked to play for the Quebec provincial team as
an out-of-province import and competed at the Canada Cup in Vancouver and
the Canadian Championships in Brampton, Ontario. Erin has also attended
the St. Peter’s Leadership Camp for the past three years, first as
a participant, then as a leader, and more recently as a senior leader where
she planned and organized a camp for 45 Grade 9 and 10 students. Erin is
a solid citizen and a natural leader who goes out of her way to pass on
her knowledge and love of sports to her peers. For competing at such a high
level in her chosen sport and for investing her time and energy in supporting
her peers as a school leader, Erin Phillipps has been selected as a recipient
of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Cameron
Slupeiks, 12
Cameron
Slupeiks is a gifted athlete, a model student and a supportive older brother
to his sister Nadine who is an accomplished athlete in her own right. A
gifted all-round athlete, Cameron qualified for the 2009 provincial age
group swimming championships in three different events. He also won the
800 and 1500 metres at the All Champions track meet in late June which brings
together the top 10- to 14-year-old athletes in Eastern Ontario and Western
Quebec. It was at the All Champions meet that Cameron caught the eye of
the Ottawa Lions coaching staff who invited him to compete at the provincial
age group championships in July where he won the gold medal in the bantam
boys 800 metres competing against runners a year older than himself. Cameron
is also a top notch student. Last year, he earned the top overall mark among
his male peers in the French immersion program at Henry Munro Middle School
where he was also named a Learning Skills Star. For exemplifying the definition
of a well-rounded youth, Cameron Slupeiks has been selected as a recipient
of this year’s Outstanding Youth Award.
Ashley
Backstrom , 17
Ashley
Backstrom is a gifted soccer player and a well-rounded student in
the Sport-Études program at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel.
While preparing for the Nepean Hotspurs OYSL season opener in May 2008,
Ashley noticed enlarged glands in her neck and what appeared to be a rash
on her back. Concerned that she would miss the game, Ashley waited to see
her family doctor until the following Monday. After a series of blood tests
and a trip to CHEO, Ashley was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Her soccer
career would have to be put on hold while she underwent aggressive cancer
treatment. Despite the debilitating side effects, Ashley came out to cheer
her teammates on every chance she could. Last spring, she helped inspire
the Louis-Riel Rebelles senior girls soccer team to an upset win at the
OFSAA provincial championships. She was also asked to be the Ambassador
child for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride and inspired her fellow students
to take part in the Relay for Life. This past June her blood counts were
high enough for her to practice with her team again and in early July she
played in her first full game in over a year. Throughout her ordeal, Ashley
has kept an extremely positive attitude. For refusing to let her illness
effect her spirit and for inspiring her fellow students and teammates, Ashley
Backstrom has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding
Youth Awards.
Andrew
Brown, 17
Andrew
Brown has volunteered with the Sonshine Families organization since he was
a young boy and is always around to help. This can involve anything from
pushing a wheelchair to moving furniture and boxes, singing in the organization’s
integrated choir, the Sonshine Singers, or helping special needs clients
in whatever way is asked of him. Andrew has also been employed as a “chore
boy” at the Sonshine Cove camp for special needs
children which involves maintenance and cleaning duties ranging from taking
out the garbage, washing the floor or cutting grass. Andrew first came to
Sonshine Families as a foster child and was later adopted by his foster
parents Roy and Karen Brown. He is compassionate and caring and always willing
to help with whatever task is asked of him. It is for these very qualities
that Andrew Brown has been selected as a recipient of one of this year’s
Outstanding Youth Awards.
Samantha
Chan , 14
For
someone just 14 years of age, Samantha Chan has accomplished quite
a lot for someone who must deal with a life-altering and life-threatening
allergy to peanuts. She is an above average student, a talented actor, writer
and composer, a musician and a playwright. She is currently enrolled in
Grade 9 at Colonel By Secondary School in the International Baccalaureate
program, and despite the heavy workload, she still finds time to be involved
with the Open Eyes Project at the school, attend rehearsals for an upcoming
pantomime production and study piano. In 2009 she won two first place trophies
at the Quebec Ontario Youth Music Festival. The first was in the writer/composer
category and the second was in the Grade 7 Royal Conservatory of Music exam
category. Last year ,she went to St. Peter High School where she received
two awards in Grade 8 and was named to the Honour Roll. She was a member
of the Eco-Green Team at St. Peter and the Grade 7/8 dance team. She was
also a member of the Cumberland United U15 soccer team and volunteered her
time to appear in a television commercial for the Children’s Aid Society
of Eastern Ontario. For her many accomplishments both in theatre and in
the classroom, Samantha Chan has been selected as a recipient of one of
this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Michael
O'Connor, 13
Michael
O’Connor is a gifted athlete, an Honour Roll student and a mentor to
his peers. A natural leader, Michael is the starting quarterback on the
Mews Orleans Bengals peewee football team. This past season he led the Bengals
to the Sullivan Cup championship and was named to the peewee all-star team.
Michael is also a standout pitcher on the Orleans Little League major baseball
team which made it to the semi-finals of the provincial championships this
past summer and he is a member of the Gloucester-Cumberland Wolverines bantam
rep basketball team. Last year, he earned a 90 per cent average at St. Matthew
High School while participating on the touch football, wrestling, basketball
and track and field teams. For his accomplishments in athletics and in the
classroom, Michael O’Conner has been selected as a recipient of one
of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Victoria-Marie
Cusson, 15
Victoria-Marie
Cusson is a young woman with a purpose in life. As someone with a great
passion for protecting the environment, Victoria-Marie has been working
on a series of renewable energy projects for the past three years. In 2007,
she invented a portable composting system which makes it possible to effectively
transform organic waste into fertile black soil. In 2008, she developed
a portable system which makes it possible to produce bio-gas for cooking
using organic kitchen waste. Feeding off her past successes, Anne-Marie
is currently working on a series of experiments aimed at producing ethanol
gas from organic waste. Victoria-Marie’s efforts have been recognized
at Expo-sciences pancanadienne, where she placed second in 2007 and 2009,
and first in 2008 earning a $10,000 bursary in the process. Victoria-Marie
is an exemplary pupil at College catholique Samuel-Genest where she has
won a number of academic awards including the highest academic standing
in Grade 9. She is also an impassioned soccer player, having played on the
the Gloucester Hornets regional team for the past five years. For for the
past two years Victoria-Marie has tutored two children age 9 and 11 in French,
English and mathematics. For her efforts in developing renewable energy
sources and for attaining a high academic standing, Victoria-Marie Cusson
has been selected as one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Dylan
Armstrong, 17
To
say that Dylan Armstrong is an active member of the Orléans youth
group SKETCH Orléans would be a colossal understatement. For starters,
he played an active role in helping to bring Students in Motion under the
umbrella of SKETCH Orléans. He then took on a leadership role in
recruiting new members for Students in Motion, which changed its name to
Fusion Association, and was elected co-president in June. Dylan organized
the group’s entry in the Run for the Cure and raised $657 for breast
cancer research. He also organized a community coffee house, which brought
together young artists from across the east end. When Orléans Coun.
Bob Monette asked for youth to help prepare a wall for a mural celebrating
the 150th anniversary of Orléans, Dylan was the only one who answered
the call. Besides his work with SKETCH Orléans and Students in Motion,
Dylan is a member of the St. Matthew High School wrestling and football
teams. He also coaches basketball in his spare time and is actively involved
in his church youth group. For his tireless efforts in promoting youth initiatives
in Orléans, Dylan Armstrong has been selected as a recipient of one
of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Caroline
Chamberland, 17
Caroline
Chamberland est une élève de 12e année à l’école
secondaire catholique Garneau où elle participe très activement
à la communauté scolaire. Présidente des Vrais Copains
de l’École secondaire catholique Garneau, elle a joué
un rôle de chef de file dans l’amélioration de l’expérience
scolaire chez plusieurs élèves en créant des amitiés
et en les aidant à améliorer leur rendement académique.
Elle-même étudiante exceptionnelle, Caroline a toujours été
inscrite au Tableau d’honneur avec des notes de plus de 90 pour cent.
À l’extérieur de l’école, Caroline est une
membre active du groupe humanitaire Jeun’Espoir Jamaïque mené
par les étudiants et qui se rend en Jamaïque tous les congés
d’hiver pour y contribuer du travail bénévole tel que
la construction d’une maison modeste pour une famille locale, la visite
d’aînés locaux et de l’aide à un orphelinat
local. Caroline a aussi organisé Salut Palu, une activité-
bénéfice qui a prélevé tout près de 700
$ pour contribuer à l’achat de filets anti-moustiques pour protéger
les nouvelles mamans du Benin en Afrique contre le paludisme (la malaria).
Caroline a été choisie comme récipiendaire du Prix
de Jeunesse Exceptionnelle de cette année à cause de ses nombreuses
contributions auprès de ses confrères et consœurs élèves
et de ses initiatives humanitaires.
Rebecca
Kalinger, 15
Rebecca Kalinger is a confident and self-assured young lady who has been
able to balance her passion for music with her school studies. Last year,
she received a mark of 94 per cent or better in eight different subjects
at Canterbury High School where she is currently enrolled in Grade 11. At
the beginning of the year Rebecca was asked to tutor science due to her
proficiency in the subject. She is an excellent public speaker and gifted
vocalist who has won a number of awards at the Kiwanis Music Festival for
musical theatre, but it is in front of a piano that Rebecca truly shines.
In 2008 she received First Class Honours with Distinction on her Royal Conservatory
of Music (RCM) Grade 9 exam. In March she earned top honours from the Gloucester
Music Teachers Association for attaining the top marks in the RCM Grade
8 and 9 exams. She also received a scholarship from the Ottawa Registered
Music Teachers Association for her accomplishments in piano and vocal exams
and competitions. A budding environmentalist, Rebecca wrote a rap song entitled
“Styrofoam” which she performed at her school assembly. For her
ability to balance academics and music, Rebecca Kalinger has been chosen
as a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
Erik
Gudbranson, 17
Erik Gudbranson is a gifted hockey player with a very bright future. In
June 2008, Erik was selected 4th overall in the Ontario Hockey League draft
by the Kingston Frontenacs. In December 2008, he was named captain of the
provincial Under-17 hockey team that won the gold medal at the World Under-17
Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Last spring, he was
one of only three underage players to be selected to the national men’s
under-18 team that finished 4th at the IIHF World Championships in Fargo,
North Dakota and in August he was named assistant captain on the U18 team
that won the gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech
Republic. According to the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting
Service, Erik is currently ranked eighth among NHL prospects heading into
next year’s draft. During the off season, Erik attends École
secondaire publique Louis-Riel. He also volunteers during the CHEO Telethon
in support of his younger brother Dennis, who is a cancer survivor. In recognition
of his dedication to his chosen sport and for representing his community
and country on an international stage, Erik Gudbranson has been selected
as a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards.
