The Global Community Alliance held its 11th annual awards gala on Feb. 29 and several local students were among this year’s Youth Achievement Award recipients. The awards, which are organized by Orléans residents Yomi and Kelly Pratt, are traditionally held on the final Saturday of Black History Month.

(L to r) Showtell Brown, Nelson Odutola, Mushkura Tathoye, Julia Vo, Katie Newlove and Kemely Pierre. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

This year’s gala was held at the downtown Sheraton Hotel with several VIPs in attendance, including Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, Orléans MPP-elect Stephen Blais, and Nigerian High Commissioner Adeyinka Asekun.

Among the 13 Youth Achievement Award recipients were six local students including Katie Newlove from St. Peter High School; Mashkura Tathoye from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School; Nelson Odutola from Ashbury College by way of École secondaire Gisèle Lalonde; Showtell Brown from Cairine Wilson Secondary School; and Julia Vo and Kemely Pierre from St. Matthew High School.

Katie Newlove was recognized for her achievements both inside the classroom and on the track where she’s represented her school at seven different the OFSAA provincial track and field and cross country championships.

After arriving in Canada from Bangladesh in 2014, Mashkura Tathoye learned English by participating in as many school club’s and initiatives as possible and was voted Student Prime Minister in her final year at middle school. Now in Grade 11, Mashkura is an active member of the Army Cadet program and a budding entrepreneur.

After completing Grade 10 at Gisèle-Lalonde, Nelson Odutola transferred to Ashbury College where he is currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program and is a member of the debating club several teams including the track and field team, the X-country ski team and the rowing team. He is also on the organizing committees for the Semaine francophonie and Black History Month.

Showtell Brown was recognized for his work as a counselor at Christie Lake Kids where he has mentored young campers for the past four years. He is also well on his way to becoming the first person in his family to earn a high school diploma and eventually go on to university where he plans to study the social sciences and law.

Julia Vo is an accomplished violinist and Honour Roll student at St. Matthew High School. As one of the oldest members of Orkidstra, she has played at countless events including Canada 150 on Parliament Hill and the 2019 WE Day event. Julia also helped organize her school’s Multicultural Kaleidoscope Fashion Show and is a member of her school’s basketball, volleyball, badminton, touch football and track and field teams.

Last, but by no means least, Kemely Pierre was recognized for his many achievements both inside and outside the classroom while supporting his sister and their mother who was battling a severe illness and couldn’t work. His initiative resulted in his acquiring an internship with Exit Realty. Kemely’s immediate goal is to get his real estate license, while in the long term he wants to start his own company.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)