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.
SAVED BY THE BELL 90s DANCE PARTY at St. Peter High School on Charlemagne Blvd. featuring DJ Mace, DJ Kam and DJ Bounce from 7 p.m. to midnight. Must be 19+. ID required at the door. This is a fundraising event hosted by the St. Peter High School Parents Council. For advance tickets visit 
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.
90s HITS MUSICAL BINGO 7:30 p.m. at the Orléans Brewing Co. 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds. Hosted by Shine.
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
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.
