Students from schools across Chatham-Kent were recognized Thursday evening for their volunteer efforts and community involvement during the 3rd Annual Youth Community Recognition Awards at the Capitol Theatre.
The event celebrated youth who have made meaningful contributions to their schools and communities through volunteerism, leadership and service. Students were nominated by their school principals for their dedication and community impact.
The ceremony was supported by Mainstreet Credit Union, which provided each recipient with an engraved award, a swag bag and a $50 restaurant gift card.
“Chatham-Kent is a growing community. You are its future, and seeing what you are already accomplishing gives me a great deal of confidence and hope for the direction we’re headed,” Darrin Canniff said during the ceremony.
“I often talk about bringing more positivity into our community, and tonight is a perfect example of that positivity in action.”
Award recipients included Andy Baker of Tilbury District High School, Ava Bass of Thamesville Area Central Public School, Abi Brosseau of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School, Colton Browe of Zone Township Central School, Emmersyn Caron of St. Angela Merici Catholic School, Jaxsyn Dauphin of Harwich Raleigh Public School, Myrah DeClerk of Good Shepherd Catholic School, Brooklyn Druer of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School, Judah Fitch of Chatham Christian School, Carter Formosa of Ursuline College Chatham and Orion Fraser of Blenheim District High School.
Also recognized were Vylette Gallagher of St. Joseph Catholic School Tilbury, Ainsley Gray of Dresden Area Central School, Andrene Hamilton of John McGregor Secondary School, Emma Hoekstra of Indian Creek Road Public School, Dorha Hussien of King George VI Public School, Max Jones and Cole Pryor-Beaumont of Monsignor Uyen Catholic School, Abigail Krieger of Ursuline College Chatham, Teagan Lang of École élémentaire catholique Saint-Francis, Jaida Langstaff of Wallaceburg District Elementary School and Daphne Lassaline of École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie.
Additional honourees included Aubrey Leveille and Macy Snelgrove of McNaughton Avenue Public School, Makena Lockhart and Kasee Silverman of John McGregor Secondary School, Riley Malott of Lambton Kent Composite School, Leah Martens of Naahii Ridge Public School, Connor O’Neil of St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Wallaceburg, Patrick O’Rourke of St. Michael Catholic School in Ridgetown, Avery Orr and Madison Owen of Chatham Kent Secondary School, Cassie Outhouse of St. Angela Merici Catholic School, Naomi Paradis of Tecumseh Public School and Hudson Parrish of A.A. Wright Public School.
The remaining recipients were Patience Raymond of Holy Family Catholic School in Wallaceburg, Fiona Rutledge of Ridgetown District High School 7 and 8, Amelia Shadd of Merlin Area Public School, Alex Stirling of Ridgetown District High School, Indica St-Jacques of École secondaire catholique de Pain Court, Sibgha Tahir of Indian Creek Road Public School, Luke Turner of St. Anne Catholic School, Blakely Van Damme of Christ the King French Immersion Catholic School, Tyler Van Kesteren of Chatham Christian School, Brynn Williams of Wallaceburg District Secondary School and Beckett Wysman of Winston Churchill Public School.
