After a three year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Global Community Alliance youth achievement award dinner returned this year as a feature of the Black History Month events in the National Capital.
This year’s awards were held at the Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 24. A grand total of 14 awards were handed out to 11 deserving young people and three educators for making a difference in their diverse community and for being upstanding role models.
Eight of the recipients were from the east end – Anthony Nguyen from St. Peter High School, Amy Zhang from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, Laetitia Abou Assali and Daniella Ihezor from St. Matthew High School, Joud Houssari from Gloucester High School Malaika Kamanzi from Colonel By Secondary School, and Franol Duressa and Ghada Ahmed both from Lester B. Pearson High School.
Anthony Nguyen is a Grade 12 student who is committed to fostering well-being and community service with his school’s community. As co-president of the school council at St. Peter High School he has been devoted to various impactful initiatives. Most notably, he recently co-ordinated the school’s Christmas campaign which raised an impressive $10,000 which was used to help support financially challenged families in the community.
Amy Zhang is an Honour Roll student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier High School where she received the award for Athlete of the Year for 2022-2023. She is also a member of the school’s jazz and concert bands, the latter of which won gold at the Ontario Music Festival.
Daniela Ihezor is a Nigerian-born new Canadian who also recently graduated from St. Matthew High School where she was the co-founder of the school’s Black Student Association and served as a member of the school board’s Black Student Advisory Council which was able to open a space of free conversation about issues that effect the Black student population.
Laetitia Abou Assali is a recent graduate at St. Matthew High School where she was committed to promoting harmony among her fellow students, especially students of Middle Eastern decent. She was also captain on the girl’s varsity soccer team and had an exceptional academic standing
The Global Community Alliance youth achievement awards are organized by former St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School teacher Moses Pratt and his wife Kelly.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 3 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 
ORLEANS FAMILY FUN FEST FOR FATHER'S DAY from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Pierre Rocque Park, 1257 Joseph Drouin Ave. Presented by Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ottawa, A donation of $20 or more to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa is encouraged upon entry, but not mandatory. 100% of the proceeds from this event fund our life-changing work for youth facing adversity across the city. Learn more about us at 
TRIVIA NIGHT every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans from 7:30 p.m. Free to play and prize for the winning team! The Royal Oak is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near the corner of Jeanne d'Arc Blvd. For more information visit 
MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES featuring the group Valley Montain under the Domes on the Navan Fairgrounds presented by the Navan Community Association starting at 7 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE Refreshments will be available for purchase.
DJ NIGHT at the Orléans Brewing Co., 4380 Innes Rd. (near the McDonalds) from 7-10 p.m. to 6 p.m. Join us and our roster of DJs every Thursday, and jumpstart your weekend fun, a day ahead! 
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 3 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
