Best and brightest honoured at Potpouri Awards
Hamilton Spectator
By Molly Hayes
Award winners
Barry Gray,The Hamilton Spectator
Award winners at the African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri event at the Sheraton Saturday night included, from left, Saje Bailey, Clemence Nsangamayi, Nikisha Browne, Lois Ansa-Sam, Sellam Kassa, Phillipa Blake, Sunday Kong and Chanelle Thomas.
The 21st annual African Caribbean Cultural Potpouri Inc. youth scholarships were presented Saturday (Oct. 15, 2016) night at the Sheraton Hotel.
Twelve local high school graduates now in post-secondary studies were awarded not only for their impressive academic achievements, but also their athletic accomplishments and overall contributions to the community.
“It’s just awe-inspiring,” said Phillip Jeffrey, manager of library and information services with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and past-president of the ACCPI.
Jeffrey said volunteerism is “one of the strongest indicators of the future” — and based on this list, the future is bright.
Fellow organizer Yvette Beach said the gala is an important affirmation for the students that their hard work is valued.
“We have to raise and praise and recognize those students to encourage them to be the best they can be,” she said. “It is a great thing for the community to celebrate.”
Saturday night’s award recipients:
SAJE BAILEY is a Delta Secondary School graduate, recognized for her stellar academic record and extra curricular commitments including the Delta music club, the computer programming club and the math club. On top of that, she volunteered at school book fairs as well as at the Memorial Elementary School library. She is studying computing and computer electronics at Laurier University.
SELAMM KEIZA KASSA is a Westdale Secondary School graduate, recognized for her generous volunteering with Free the Children, through which she travelled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic helping to build a school. Locally, she donated her time as a tutor at the library, and took part in her school rowing team and band. She is studying life sciences at McMaster University.
PHILIPA BLAKE is a Cathedral High School graduate and an active member of the community, volunteering her time at the Garside Bible Church and Hamilton Urban Care. A dedicated rugby player, she received the MVP award (among others) at the OFSAA championship in 2014. She is studying at the University of Windsor, pursuing her nursing degree.
SYLVIE UMUTONI is a graduate of Sherwood Secondary School, where she sat on the student council and played on the senior basketball team. In her spare time, she has volunteered at the Alzheimer Society, the Good Shepherd, Living Rock, Autism Ontario and others. She is studying at the University of Ottawa, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science.
CLEMENCE NSANGAMAYI is a Cathedral graduate, recognized for her extra-curricular involvement and dedication to her community. In school, she was a member of the French club, the step squad and the badminton team. Outside, she logged more than 700 hours of volunteer service —including as program co-ordinator at McQueston’s community program. She is studying at Laurier, where she is pursuing an honours bachelor of arts.
SUNDAY KONG is a graduate from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, where he was president of student council as well as a member of the diversity club and the basketball team. In his spare time, he is involved with the Pilgrim Lutheran Church, where he sits as a junior trustee for the board and leads a bible study for children. He is studying at the University of Ottawa in the health sciences program.
YASMINE LYONS is a Westdale grad, recognized for her academic and athletic achievements. In the classroom, she achieved a final average above 85 per cent and received awards for her academic excellence in math. On the field, she was captain of both the indoor and outdoor soccer teams. On top of that, she volunteers with the Urban Wildlife Care association. She is enrolled in McMaster’s life sciences program.
LOIS ANSA-SAM is a graduate of Bishop Tonnos Secondary School, where she was an honour-roll student. In her final year, she was on the eco club as well as the health action team. Outside school, she has volunteered with the St. Joseph’s Foundation, as well as the Family Matters Foundation, raising funds and collecting toys for orphanages in Ghana. She is studying at McMaster in the medical radiation program.
CHANELLE THOMAS is a graduate from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, where she was an honour-roll student four years in a row on top of her extra-curricular involvement in the school band and as a school prefect. She also volunteered as a coach for Team Hamilton in the Spelling Bee of Canada and was a youth member of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association. She is enrolled at McMaster University.
NIKISHA CASSANDRA BROWNE graduated from Cathedral with a 90 per cent average. On top of her academic excellence, she was a member of the health action team and the “girl guide” program, mentoring younger female students. She was also captain of the eco-team. Outside school, she volunteered on local campaigns including Halloween for Hunger, the Pilgrimage Walk, Think Fast and March for Life. She has been accepted to McMaster’s social sciences program.
ALEXANDRIA MONTAGUE is a St. Thomas More graduate, where she was an honour-roll student and an active volunteer. She was a student prefect and tutor, and worked on the yearbook committee and graduation committee. She also launched a fundraising campaign Sisters4Sisters to support women and girls in the community. She is pursuing a degree in creative industry at Ryerson University.
ZAHRA ALI ADAM is a Westdale graduate, where she achieved an academic average of 90 per cent in her final year. On top of her studies, she participated in the Warriors for Wellness program, as well as the basketball and baseball teams and prom committee. Outside school, she volunteers at the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, the Kiwanis Boys and Girls club and the Chadian Women Association. She is enrolled at Western University in the arts and science biochemistry program.
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Updated on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.