HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
HWCDSB students honoured at annual ACCPI Awards

Twelve "exemplary individuals" were recognized by the African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Inc (ACCPI) at the Sheraton Hotel on November 12 at a scholarship awards ceremony celebrating excellence.

The awards program was founded by retired HWCDSB teacher Eleanor Wiltshire-Rodney in 1986 to reward and celebrate high school students of African and Caribbean heritage for their academic excellence and outstanding community service. The event theme, "Lifting by Giving," celebrates the concept of giving in order to lift others up.

Since its inception in 1996, more than 300 scholarships and bursaries - ranging from $1500 to $3000 - have been awarded to Hamilton students attending colleges and universities.

"The strength of Lifting by Giving' is evidenced through over 300 award recipients who have carved their own path through professional achievement, transformative leadership and uplifting their local communities," said ACCPI President Kennishia Boahene.

This year's HWCDSB award recipients include: Temini Ogunmoyero (Bishop Ryan); Timi Sadiq (Bishop Ryan); Naisula Mollel (St. Thomas More); Peace Agada (St. Thomas More); Omolade George (Cathedral); Judeny Belizaire (St. John Henry Newman); and David Akintola (Bishop Tonnos).

"You have made a difference," said Director of Education David Hansen in words of congratulations on behalf of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. "This evening is recognition that you have stood out amongst your peers through your service to your school, to the Afro-Caribbean community and to the community at large. You have done things differently and you have made a difference."

"As I flipped through the program just now, I was really quite overwhelmed by the hours and hours and hours of selfless giving through volunteerism that each of you have provided in our schools and in our community."

"We live in a world that too often tells us the focus is on I' - what's in it for me?'" said Hansen. "You have answered clearly that the world you live in, and that you will foster is focused on we.'"

It's an example that not only inspires others, but serves as a powerful sign of hope, he added. "Thank you for representing the very best that the African and Caribbean culture has to offer our community."

Thanking the ACCPI for welcoming him so warmly to the celebration, on behalf of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, he recommitted "to work alongside you in support of the ideals of the ACCPI, particularly in the work of Lifting by Giving.'"

HWCDSB Recipients:

Temini Ogunmoyero
Appiah Law Award

Temini is a graduate of Bishop Ryan Secondary School with an exemplary academic achievement. Within the classroom, Temini is well recognized as an insightful, critical thinker who sees her community through a lens that makes her a powerful advocate. She is quick to ask questions to challenge the "status quo", especially as it relates to systemic injustice. She is known to offer encouraging support to her peers and is always willing to learn new tasks. Temini was actively involved with the YMCA in Toronto where she participated in various projects and activities including True Depiction Project and the Election Vote Pop Up where she
worked with several youth groups to prepare a mock event. Temini is currently studying Medical Sciences at Brock Univeristy with aspirations to become a Registered Nurse.

Timi Sadiq
Mervyn Jobity Award

Timi is a graduate of Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School. She was an honour roll student. Timi earned two additional awards earlier this year for recognition of a well-rounded student and highlighting her contribution to the school. Timi is seen as a person who embodied the school's motto of "where faith, pride, and effort promote excellence". While at Bishop Ryan, Timi was the acting vice-president for the student council; she played on the basketball team; assisted in scorekeeping and, was a member on the dance team. She organized and led events for the student council, including promoting and raising awareness for Black History Month.
With changes that COVID-19 brought during her time at secondary school, Timi came to understand that change should be embraced and not feared. Timi is enrolled at the University of Ottawa in the nursing program. She aspires to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Naisula Mollel
Drs. Beach & Abdel-Qadir Award

Naisula is a graduate of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School. Naisula is a passionate, driven, and an extremely bright young woman who demonstrated excellent leaderships skills in
her community. Naisula undertook projects that promoted awareness to cultural diversity equity and inclusion including: the annual Bullying Awareness and Prevention week as well as the Safe School campaign where she provided positive messages through-out several week long activities.She has been involved with STM's Halloween for Hunger Campaign, where proceeds
help those in need in Hamilton communities. Outside of the classroom, Naisula also volunteered at the Good Shepherd Centre helping families find necessary essentials. At
the height of the pandemic in 2020, she helped to tutor students in the Green Acres Elementary School. Her willingness to help her school community and the community at large has
made her an excellence role model for students. Naisula is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at McMaster University!

Peace Agada
ACCPI Founder's Award

Peace is a graduate from St. Thomas More Secondary School, where she completed over 150 hours of community service, received 4 awards recognizing academic success and achievements in community involvement. She completed more than 200 hours with extra-curriculars at school. While at St. Thomas More, Peace was always up to the challenge. Peace was a church camp leader, and an outreach team member, a media representative, a member of her student
council, a pep rally organizer, and a member of the athletic council. Peace also found the time to participate on the rugby team and on the cheerleading squad. During the pandemic, Peace volunteered at a pharmacy working with pharmacists, clinicians and other team members
to organize a strong forefront, giving back to the community in every way she could. This work sparked her passion for mental and physical health. She is presently working towards a Kinesiology degree at Sir Wilfrid Laurier University. She aspires to become of psychologist or physiotherapist who caters to marginalized groups. In the future she hopes to be able to
create an accessible safe space for patients via social media platforms.

Omolade George
Dr. Sean Pierre Award
Omolade is a graduate of Cathedral High School. She has been an honor student for several years. Her aspiration is to help children and teens access the support they need for their mental health. Omolade has prepared herself for university life with acquisition of skills, through her
volunteering, that will ensure not only success but greatness. She is admired by Faculty and fellow students for her dedication to volunteerism at Cathedral and in her community,
involvement in school activities and supporting issues of social justice. Omolade has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Charity of Hope, The Living Spirit, and the
Bombardieri Graduation Awards. She also received Sister Mary Alexander and Swavic Prominski Anti-Bullying Memorial Scholarships. Her extracurricular activities were impressive, from anchor on CHSTV News, to participation in CHS Glee club, CHS Diversity, the Liturgy Team, and Shakespeareans. She also assisted in coaching the senior football team. Omolade is now attending McMaster University where she is pursuing a degree in Social Science

Judeny Belizaire
Dr. Sean Pierre Award

Judeny is a graduate of St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School, and has been on the honor roll every year. Judeny is a mature and thoughtful individual. She has overcome challenges in her personal life to develop capacities that allowed her to excel in her studies and develop an impressive record of community service. She has been a facilitator for the Junior Youth Empowerment Program, working with youth ages 11 to 14 towards excellence and commitment to community. Judeny's outstanding intellectual capacity, character, leadership
and communication skills made her a standout in her high school years. She received the 2022 school Academic and Athletic Leadership Award as well as the Physical Education graduate award. She was also involved in a variety of sports, including volleyball, basketball, touch football and varsity track. She was named MVP in basketball, track and junior volleyball.
Judeny is enrolled at the University of Waterloo, pursuing a degree in Kinesiology.

David Akintola
Dr. Sean Pierre Award

David is a graduate of Bishop Tonnos Secondary School. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership while at Bishop Tonnos. David's academic achievement was second to none. He has
been on the Honour Roll throughout his secondary school career. He is a reliable and self-motivated student who constantly seeks opportunities to share his skills and abilities with others. As a student, David was actively involved in the Black History Month Council, the Eco Team, Unify/Cultures Diversity Club and HOSA(Health Occupations Students of America). In addition, he earned a Focus on Youth Position because of his work with at-risk children and youth. David has an insatiable appetite for service. His community involvement includes extensive work with the People's Church; welcoming parents and students to the church, in-person lessons for students, playing the keyboard and singing for the youth band. He has the type of personality that students can easily connect with. Aside from being a "people person", David can also keep up with labour intensive tasks. David has a work ethic that is remarkable. He is always willing to lend a hand; his many roles in and out of school have been hugely impactful. David is described as 'The best of what we have to offer here at BT. David is pursuing a career in nursing at McMaster University.