Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
Young Townships Leaders Awards Recipients Announced
Sherbrooke May 14, 2010
Rachel Hunting, YTL Award recipient
Patrick Wang, YTL Award recipient
Melissa MacIver, YTL Award recipient
The recipients of this year’s Young Townships Leaders Awards are Rachel Hunting and Patrick Wang, both of Sherbrooke, and Melissa MacIver of Bury, announced Townshippers’ Association today. The three recipients will be honoured formally at the Awards Banquet which follows immediately after Townshippers’ Association’s Annual General Meeting in Georgeville on Friday, June 4.
The Young Townships Leaders Awards recognises young persons (ages 15-35) whose actions and initiatives have demonstrated leadership within the Eastern Townships English-speaking community over the past two years.
"As with previous editions of the Young Townships Leaders Awards, this year’s nominations were all deserving young Townshippers who have demonstrated exceptional community engagement and leadership at a very early stage in their lives," said Michael van Lierop, president of the Association. "Each year we are encouraged by the quality of nominees, and that the community is keen to reward these dynamic young people with public recognition and a significant $1,000 cash award!"
RACHEL HUNTING
Rachel Hunting, coordinator of the Lennoxville Youth Centre, is known for her fearless dedication and professionalism in her advocacy work for youth and for the centre. When asked to comment on receiving a Young Townships Leaders Award, Rachel said, “I am very appreciative to be recognised for something I am passionate about.”
Her passion for community service and advocacy are widely seen as being instrumental in helping transform the Lennoxville Youth Centre’s reputation from one of “distrust and disgust to something incredibly positive.”
PATRICK WANG
At 17, Patrick Wang is this year’s youngest recipient. Patrick is a Level 5 student at Alexander Galt Regional High School and is the Student Council President. He has also been involved in a number of other school activities, including the Educational Gym Committee. Patrick’s dynamic leadership and commitment to the school have gained him respect from students, teachers and administration.
Patrick is also known as a gifted speaker. Vice-Principal Louise Retchless notes, “He has a way of conveying to students of all ages that what they have to say is important.” Patrick has spoken at many school events, but his oratory skills are by no means limited to English. He recently won the Level 5 Category-French Mother Tongue at Le Concours d’art oratoire provincial and will represent the province in Ottawa on May 29, 2010.
MELISSA MACIVER
Melissa MacIver of Bury is recognised in her community for her commitment to helping others and her love for sports. Always a team player, Melissa has been getting involved since she was very young as her friend and teammate Chelsea Dougherty remarks, “During elementary school, she would participate in every single possible activity there was. She would not only participate in them but she would give the whole 100 percent to do her best and give it her all in whatever she was doing.”
Melissa has demonstrated that quality of commitment with the many community events and initiatives she has taken part in over the years, including Canada Celebrations (recipient of the 2005 Canada Day Youth Award), Winter Carnival, the United Cultural Center and the Mayor's Golf Tournament Committee.
These three Young Townships Leaders will be honoured alongside Outstanding Townshippers at a joint ceremony and awards banquet to be held in Georgeville on June 4. Come and cheer on all our Townships Leaders!
For more information about the Awards Banquet and to reserve your seats, contact Cathy Turner at 819-566-5717 (1-866-566-5717) or ct@townshippers.qc.ca.