Through volunteerism, 41 young people are making Chatham-Kent a better place.
Their efforts in giving back were recently honoured at the second annual Youth Community Recognition Awards. The ceremony, held at the Capitol Theatre, saw each honoree bestowed with an engraved award, a swag bag and a $50 restaurant gift certificate, all sponsored by Mainstreet Credit Union.
C-K Mayor Darrin Canniff, who presented the awards, called volunteerism the “foundation” of the community.
“I’m looking at some of our leaders of tomorrow, sitting right here,” Canniff said. “That’s part of leadership – giving back.”
Held in conjunction with local school boards, students were nominated by their school’s principal for outstanding service and commitment.
This year’s awards recipients include:
Meredith Anderson, Ridgetown District High School; Clara Baillargeon, St. Michael’s Catholic School; Layla Bardyla, École élémentaire catholique Sainte Catherine; Ian Barnes, St. Elizabeth Catholic School; Peyton Beaucage, Blenheim District High School; Asunta Bissett Crisante, Ursuline College Chatham; Anna Bradley, Chatham Kent Secondary School; Kaylene Brophy, École secondaire catholique de Pain Court; Jamie Caughy, Wallaceburg District Secondary School; Emmerson DeNure, St. Anne Catholic School; Claire Desaulnier, ESCPC; Bree Eddleston, WDSS; Faraan Faruqi, John McGregor Secondary School; Colton Fox, Christ the King French Immersion Catholic School; Caimbrie Giroux, Good Shepherd Catholic School; Kaleb Groombridge, Chatham Christian School; Eddie Hawken, Dresden Area Central School; Nicole Hoekstra, JMSS; Kaylee Holsappel, Indian Creek Road Public School; Ben Jackson, Winston Churchill Public School; Cohen Jacques, McNaughton Avenue Public School; Carley Johnston, Tilbury District High School; Julina Knelsen, Wheatley Area Public School; Zaya Kys-Mayor, Monsignor Uyen Catholic School Chatham; Hayden Lacy, UCC; Danika Leach, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School; Bryleigh McIntyre, Merlin Area Public School; Joshua McLean, St. Joseph Catholic School Tilbury; Kate Regan, Queen Elizabeth Public School Chatham; Evan Saunders, McNaughton; Nanami Shaw, CKSS; Braeden Simpson, St. Angela Merici Catholic School; Elizabeth Sode, St. Teresa; Sloane Spencer, Tilbury Area Public School; Hailey Stinson, Indian Creek; Jack VanderGriendt, Ridgetown District High School; Skyla VandeVelde, Holy Family Catholic School; Emma Vyn, CCS; Meeah Wagenaar, King George VI Public School; Nevaeh White, A. A. Wright Public School; and Miale Wilson, St. Angela’s.
