Young Achievers celebrated

Published on November 5th, 2008

Published on Febuary 6th, 2010

Times-Herald

Some very proud parents and family friends filled up the Hilton Montreal Airport Hotel in Dorval last Wednesday night for the ninth annual Young Achievers gala.

The Chronicle launched this initiative in 2000 and was joined this year by its French-language sister paper Cités Nouvelles to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of youth from our community and award prizes.

This year, with the help of two major sponsors – Pfizer Canada and Business Development Bank of Canada – the Young Achievers program recognized 40 exceptional young people between the ages of 10 and 17. Twenty-four finalists were given $100 cheques and the top four winners in the four age categories received $600 (fourth), $800 (third), $1,000 (second) and $2,000 (first), respectively, for their accomplishments.

High grades, musical talent, impressive athletic skills, inspiring fundraising efforts and motivated minds were just some of the achievements that were recognized. The four winners in each age group were: - Age 10 to 11: Colton Reed (first), Cedrique Shum-Tim (second), Alexander Bezpalok (third) and Patricia Jensen (fourth); - Age 12 to 13: Sarina Lalla (first), Francis Beaulieu (second), Peter Gillich (third) and Hitesh Pande (fourth); - Age 14 to 15: Mark Freedman (first), Mary-May Hubert (second), Jackielyn Mar (third) and Kaitlin Elvidge (fourth) - Age 16 to 17: Marco Facciola (first), Julie D'Aoust (second), Cara Adele Parisien (third) and Irene-Sofia Toro (fourth).

The awards were given out during a well-attended gala evening, hosted by CTV Montreal broadcasters Lori Graham and Paul Karwatsky. The finalists and winners were called up to the stage to receive their plaques and prizes to the enthusiastic applause of their families, sponsors and advertisers, Chronicle and Transcontinental Media staff.

To read more about these 40 young, gifted West Islanders, make sure to check out the Young Achievers 2007 booklet included with this week’s issue and available online at www.westislandchronicle.com.

Next year, the project will be marking its 10th anniversary. So, if you know of any shining examples of West Island youth who deserve praise and to be rewarded for their efforts, make sure to nominate them for the 10th annual Young Achievers awards next year.