The Ottawa Catholic School Board is pleased to announce the OCSB Honours & Awards 2020 recipients. These remarkable students excel in the pursuit of their dreams, demonstrate their faith, contribute to their community, and inspire us all. Congratulations to the 2020 recipients!
Archbishop Graduate Award
This award exemplifies student dedication to spiritual and social growth within his/her parish. They have participated in school and parish events that enhanced the character of their Catholic high school. The student has completed all OSS diploma requirements, including the community service component.
Recipients:
- Kathryn Jajo-Yacoub, All Saints Catholic High School
- Sarah E. Millross, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Reylene Mendez, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Emily Grace Linton-Leblanc, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Erin Donahue-Boyle, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Ida B Iuliano, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- John N Fallenbuchl, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Emily E McDonald, St. Joseph High School
- Carter W Ibach, St. Mark High School
- Abigail J. Lockert, St. Matthew High School
- Matthew Ha Nguyen, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Chloe E Fuentes, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Joseph A. Ferritto, St. Patrick’s High School
- Angeli Mae P. Nuqui, St. Paul High School
- Sara A. Hayes, St. Peter High School
- Viktor G. Wozniak, St. Pius X High School
The Director of Education Graduate Student Award
Recipients of this award achieved a high academic average in their Grade 11 and Grade 12 subjects. They completed all OSS diploma requirements, and have consistently demonstrated positive social attitudes throughout his/her years of high school. These students always exemplified the expectations of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate, as well as meeting the following expectations:
- Be a self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates his/her God-given potential
- Be a caring, individual who attends to family, school, parish and the wider community
- Be accepted at a university or college
Recipients:
- Emma Connelly, All Saints Catholic High School
- Grace A. Maidment, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Logan K Cantin, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Belicia Winner, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Angela Zhou, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- Stacey E Zoutis, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Sagni T Kuma, St. Joseph High School
- Tomas G Pepe, St. Mark High School
- Jade E Cunningham, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Mea G. Paoletti, St. Paul High School
- Katie E. Newlove, St. Peter High School
- Viktor G. Wozniak, St. Pius X High School
- Carter M Demars, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Eric deKemp, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Estelle B.E. Chin, St. Matthew High School
- Nicole L. Ferraris, St. Patrick’s High School
Graduate Expectations Award
This award honours a Catholic graduate from each OCSB high school who demonstrates the distinctive expectations as defined in the Catholic Graduate Expectations document. He or she is expected to be:
- A discerning believer
- A collaborative contributor
- A caring family member
- A responsible citizen
- An effective communicator
- A reflective, creative and holistic thinker
- A self-directed, responsible, life-long learner
To qualify, this student also:
- Has participated in school, community and parish initiatives throughout his/her high school career, that enhanced the character of the Catholic Graduate
- Has attained a minimum 75% average and has completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma
Recipients:
- Whitney Mambou, All Saints Catholic High School
- Sarah Becker, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Eric Hamelin, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Elise Holt, Lester B. Pearson High School
- Nelly Lienou-Kamayou, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Jessica Hay, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- Mary Bagley, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Kelly Brigid, St. Joseph High School
- Claire Carver, St. Mark High School
- Abigail Lockert, St. Matthew High School
- Victoria Thacker, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Chloe E. Fuentes, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Josie Jabbour, St. Patrick’s High School
- Kaitlyn Joy, St. Paul High School
- Sajae Brown, St. Peter High School
- Viktor Wozniak, St. Pius X High School
FoMB (Friends of the Mer Bleue)
This Scholarship/Bursary provides financial assistance to graduating high school students who are pursuing post-secondary education at a Canadian University or College where at least one environmental related course will be completed.
Recipients:
- Jennifer Walsh, St. Matthew High School
- Valerie Chouinard, St. Peter High School
- Olivia Sommers, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
Trustee Service Award
One graduate in each High School is selected for this award. To be selected a student must have:
- Demonstrated extensive service in school activities for a minimum of three years
- Demonstrated service in the community and/or fundraising involvement
- Taken initiative and demonstrated leadership
- Completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma
- Not be serving as an Ottawa Catholic School Board Student Trustee
Recipients:
- Nicholas Hammel, All Saints Catholic High School
- Peter Rahaniotis, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Darnydj Arlene Jure, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Mack Fournier, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Erin Donahue-Boyle, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Ayesha Dassanayake, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- Isabella MacKay, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Heather Dunnion, St. Joseph High School
- Tomas Pepe, St. Mark High School
- William Gauvin, St. Matthew High School
- Alyssa Haughian, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Chelsey Faucher, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Antonio Duran, St. Patrick’s High School
- Mea Paoletti, St. Paul High School
- Kinsley Jura, St. Peter High School
- Jack Lamont, St. Pius X High School
Destination Employability Award
This award is given to graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement on their Destination Employability Pathway.
They completed all OSS diploma requirements, or an OSS Certificate, and demonstrated a special talent for their chosen pathway.
Particular focus was given to students who:
- Have demonstrated special dedication to pursuing a career directly after high school
- Have attained outstanding achievement in view of their employers and cooperative education teachers
- Have demonstrated a well-rounded achievement in their education and community involvement
- Have been successful in their chosen pathway
Recipients:
- Kyle Lim, All Saints Catholic High School
- Laura E. Bland, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Oved E Sindayigaya Mugisha, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Carol J Azmy, St. Joseph High School
- Colin Grum, St. Mark High School
- Alexis Fogarty, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Samantha S. Seale, St. Patrick’s High School
- Matthew T. Smail-Elster, St. Paul High School
- Isaiah M. Paul, St. Peter High School
- Michael Cousineau, St. Pius X High School
- Miranda M Sperotto, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Valentina Panetta, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Justin Guindon, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Tyler Thomas Valenzuela, St. Matthew High School
- Theodore M McKenzie, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- Amy Roy, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
Director of Education Award for Academic Perseverance
Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated perseverance throughout their secondary education, in order to achieve academic success.
To be selected, a student must:
- Have persevered in the completion of all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma, including the community service component
- Have demonstrated courage and determination while facing and overcoming adversity
Recipients:
- Abigail Finch, All Saints Catholic High School
- Sarah M. Becker, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Diane M. Neema, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Mohamed Abbassi, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Mohammed K Abdulrahman, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Samantha L Tannis, St. Joseph High School
- Graham J Matte, St. Mark High School
- Emilie Girard, St. Matthew High School
- Madison Shaver, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Amanda Faye Pirie, St. Nicholas Adult High School
- Sera K. Patenaude, St. Paul High School
- Nicholas B. Langer, St. Peter High School
- Dilan A. Dongmo Kamga, St. Pius X High School
- Cassidy J Barrie, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
- Nathan J. O’Hare, St. Patrick’s High School
Director of Education Award for Academic Perseverance – External Achievement Centres
Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated perseverance throughout their secondary education, in order to achieve academic success.
To be selected, a student must:
- Have persevered and completed all OSS diploma requirements, including the community service component
- Have demonstrated courage and determination while facing and overcoming adversity
This award is given to one student from the four Achievement Sites:
- Operation Come Home – Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Algonquin Achievement Centre – St. Paul High School
- St. Mary’s – Immaculata Catholic High School
- St. John Bosco – Immaculata Catholic High School
Recipient:
- Jayde Huff, St. Paul High School / Algonquin
Walking Towards Reconciliation
To be selected for this award, a student must:
- Have demonstrated empathy and understanding of the context, culture, perspectives, or history regarding Canada’s Indigenous peoples
- Have participated in an initiative, project or event to encourage reconciliation
- Have demonstrated through his/her daily actions and behaviours an appreciation of the value of Indigenous cultures to Canadian society
- Applicants were required to write a short essay outlining their activities and involvement in a reconciliation, project or event to the School-Based Awards Committee
Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students were eligible for this award. It was an asset to have taken an Indigenous Studies course.
Recipients:
- Julia Hogan, All Saints Catholic High School
- Maria B. Libenson, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Eric M Hamelin, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Koko Zahinda, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Makayla Kazen, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Keagan WJ Ferguson, St. Mark High School
- Logan M Lemaire, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Jasmine Bernard, St. Joseph High School
- Izza Khalid, St. Mother Teresa High School
- Eveleyn M. Abarca, St. Patrick’s High School
- Eric R. T. Griffin, St. Paul High School
- LilyAnn DK Courchesne-Beauchamp, St. Peter High School
- Anthony Aguiar, St. Pius X High School
- Sophie H Brown-Graham, Sacred Heart Catholic High School
Watson Award Winners LB Pearson
This award is given to 10 or more students from Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School each year. Overall merit is considered in selecting recipients, including academics, extracurricular activities, community service and financial need.
Recipients:
- Janica Adame, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Nisha Baguhin, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Vincent Baluyot, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Karen Binnah, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Laine Dangerfield, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Mack Fournier, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Audrey Jerome, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Deg Kambona, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Kayla Kennedy, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Kayla Leger, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Diane Neema, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Hope Peria, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Michael Picciano, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Ayen Wel, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Hasbiya Yusuf, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Koko Zahinda, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Tiba Abd, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Victoria Vuu, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Sultan Zaynab, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Kayley Anne Smith, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Bereket Gebreslassie, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
National Bank of Canada Award
This award was given to a student:
- Who completed all OSS diploma requirements, including the community service component
- Who plans to take a post-secondary program in college or university
- Who wrote a short essay on managing debt related to post-secondary expenses; this could include credit card, student loan or any other type of debt management
Recipients:
- Katie Dale, St. Francis Xavier High School
- Ethan Caines, St. Matthew High School
Sweetnam Award Graduation Award
This is an annual award provided to recognize a diligent, hard working graduate student from one of the following Catholic high schools: All Saints, Holy Trinity, and Sacred Heart. This award is provided by Mr. Phil Sweetnam to assist financially with continuing education.
Applicants must have completed all of the requirements for obtaining an OSS Diploma, including the community service component. Particular focus was given to students who:
- Demonstrated a need for financial support
- Demonstrated that they are a hard-working, diligent student
- Demonstrated a well-rounded involvement in their school and community
Each student wrote a one page essay outlining how he/she specifically met the criteria.
Recipient:
- Marie Libenson, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Sweetnam Award Engineering Award
This award recognizes diligent, hard-working graduate students from one of the following Catholic high schools: All Saints, Holy Trinity, and Sacred Heart. This graduating student will be seeking further studies in Engineering. This award is provided by Mr. Phil Sweetnam to assist financially with continuing education.
Applicants must have completed all of the requirements for obtaining an OSS Diploma, including the community service component. Particular focus was given to students who:
- Demonstrated a need for financial support
- Seeking further education in Engineering
- Demonstrated well-rounded involvement in their school and community
Each student wrote a one page essay outlining how he/she specifically met the criteria.
Recipient:
- Sophia Fayat, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Sweetnam Award College/Trade Award
This award recognizes a diligent, hard-working graduate student from one of the following Catholic high schools: All Saints, Holy Trinity, and Sacred Heart. This graduating student will be entering a community college program. This award is provided by Mr. Phil Sweetnam to assist financially with continuing education.
Applicants must have completed all of the requirements for obtaining an OSS Diploma, including the community service component. Particular focus was given to students who:
- Demonstrated a need for financial support
- Will be entering a college program
- Demonstrated a well-rounded involvement in their school and community
Each student wrote a one page essay outlining how he/she specifically met the criteria.
Recipient:
- Carina Ghattas, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Ashfield Community Involvement Award
The winner of the award receives a one-time $3,000 bursary towards the cost of fees to attend College, University or an approved apprenticeship program. This award intends to provide support to students who have significant financial challenges associated with continuing their post-secondary pathway.
The successful recipient demonstrates school or community involvement, and must have a minimum 70% average and meet all of the requirements for an OSS diploma by the end of the current school year. The student must be accepted for studies at a College or University.
Recipients:
- Leighanna Convery, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
- Marianne Camara, Immaculata Catholic High School
- Zahinda Koko, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Jacob Cuglietta, St. Mother Teresa Catholic High School
- Catherine Dang, Notre Dame Catholic High School
- Emilie Girard, St. Matthew High School
- Patrick Alcantra, St. Patrick’s High School
- Sera Patenaude, St. Paul High School
- Marianne de Leon, St. Pius High School
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Award
This award is given to graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their OYAP. Recipients have completed all OSS diploma requirements, including the community service component.
Particular focus was given to students who:
- Demonstrated a special dedication to pursuing a career in the skilled trades
- Attained outstanding success in the view of their employers and cooperative education teachers
- Demonstrated a well-rounded achievement in their education and community involvement
- Attained outstanding achievement in the context of economic, cultural or social barriers
- Included one reference from their employer, and one other (a cooperative education teacher, teacher, community leader, etc.) as applicable
Recipient:
- Chase Zientek, St. Mother Teresa High School
Edward J. Cuhaci Architects Award
The Edward J. Cuhaci Architects Award of $1000 goes to one secondary graduate student:
- Who is an OSS graduate student from the Ottawa Catholic School Board
- Planning to take a post-secondary program in the design/architectural studies field, college or university
- Who has achievement in design/architectural related courses in high school
- With a portfolio consisting of a minimum of three (3) submissions in the design area (i.e. computer design, artistic design or other related fields)
The recipient must have completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma, including the community service component.
Recipient:
- Kayla Wallace, St. Francis Xavier High School
Your Credit Union for Overall Achievement Award
Students selected for consideration of the award:
- Have demonstrated strong work ethic, community or school involvement
- Require financial assistance to pursue his/her education goals, whether at college or university level
Students submitted a brief description of their merits based on the selection criteria, including one reference from a teacher, employer or community leader.
Recipient:
- Victory Kaly, Notre Dame Catholic High School
Shepherds of Good Hope Graduate Student Volunteer Award
This award is given to one graduating student who has demonstrated dedication in volunteering at school, church, or in the community. They have positively impacted the community by volunteering his/her time, and which has directly benefited community members who access the Shepherds of Good Hope services.
Recipient:
Estelle B.E. Chin, St. Matthew High School