The Rotary Club of Orléans held its annual youth awards ceremony at the Shenkman Arts Centre on June 8. Twenty-one area youth were recognized for their achievements in a variety of areas including Leadership, Perserverance, Positive Attitude, Creativity and Entrepreneurship.
The bilingual event was co-emceed by Rotarians Musset Pierre-Jérôme and Micky Mwiti.
After event chair Nabil Oudeh kicked the proceedings off with his opening remarks, Rotary District Governor Teresa Whitmore congratulated all the recipients and then helped present the awards.
The honourees included Wael Cheaitani, Ocean Clark, Michelle Jiménez-Bucar, Nathan Gourde, Olivier Gagnon-Maheux, Vicky Glaude, Ellie Gravelle, Michaela Owusu-Sekyere, Emily Kennedy, Jason Haddad, Sylvia Imafidon, Avery Kaptein, Salwa Mumin, Owen Murphy, Camille Rochon, Laurieve Sabourin, Anthony Rodrigue and Amanda Springate.
Interact Club co-presidents Emmanuella Aregebsola, Kamsi Uchi and Anya Sinha also received awards.
Rotary Interact Clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of the club’s motto “Service Above Self”.
The recipients represented a number of area high schools including St. Peter High School, Cairine Wilson Secondary School, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges, École secondaire publique Garneau and Collège catholique Mer-Bleue,
Each recipient received a trophy and a certificate listing their achievements.
A special scholarship was also awarded to Michaela Owusu-Sekyere.
The award ceremony was punctuated with performances by Chloe Gaudet, Milana Gizela, Liana Molinaro, Kaylah Sanchez and Maria Stellar from Sing House Studio.
During his remarks, Nabil Oudeh thanked the sponsors who helped make the event possible.
Among the main sponsors were Assante Wealth Management, CCR International, Design and Systems Inc, Domaine Perrault Winery, Groupe Régimbal, GVE Lawyers/Avocats, Scotiabank, Venvi Portobello, TopRankin Mortgages, Ottawa Prestige Properties, Nathan Philips, Sing House Studio, Patricia Slaunwhite, and several Rotary Club of Orléans members.
The award program also benefited from the support of Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde and City of Ottawa councillors Laura Dudas, Catherine Kitts and Matt Luloff.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Orléans, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/Orleans.Rotary.Club.
The Club meets every Wednesday morning at the Venvi Portobello retirement community at 691 Valin St..
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.
