25th annual Potpourri awards honour high school graduates

Sixteen Hamilton high school graduates were recognized for their academic excellence and community service at the 25th annual African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Inc. youth scholarship banquet Saturday night.

The winners, who received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, include:

Vallerie Pache, who graduated from Glendale Secondary School where she took on leadership roles and was the non-profit SHSM program award winner for the 2020 school year. Pache aspires to be an educational psychologist and is in the behavioural science program at Seneca College.

Jada Walcott, a graduate of Westdale Secondary School who participated in a running club designed to empower young women. Walcott also volunteered at Good Shepherd. She's pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Western University.

Tas-Jay Smith, a graduate of Saltfleet District High School. Smith created a company, Tas-Jay Productions, which aids in producing music and developing young talent. He served on student council and represented his school in rugby and soccer. Smith is in McMaster University's automotive and vehicle technology program.

Teniola Odunfa, who graduated from Cathedral High School and volunteered with Good Shepherd and YMCA Hamilton. Odunfa is studying biological science at the University of Guelph with hopes of becoming a doctor.

Tyrell Nelson, a graduate of Ancaster High School, achieved more than a 90 per cent average in his final classes. Nelson participated in math and chess clubs, as well as DECA. Nelson is in McMaster University's business program and hopes to obtain his Chartered Financial Analyst certificate.

Lucas McDonald, who graduated from Westmount Secondary School and was recognized for his dedication to academic excellence. McDonald took part in tennis doubles and co-ed volleyball. McDonald is at the University of New Brunswick with aspirations to become a criminal lawyer.

Noah Matsakawo, a graduate from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School who participated in student and athletic councils, basketball, soccer, and social justice initiatives. Matsakawo is studying medical sciences at Western University.

Calin Gibson, who graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and was involved in the diversity committee and the neuroscience team. She completed over 250 hours of community service and is at the University of Ottawa where she studies human kinetics with hopes to become a physiotherapist.

Lisa Mtui, a graduate of St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School who participated in the health and wellness council, science Olympics and junior girls basketball, and volunteered as a robotics mentor. She hopes to become a data scientist and is in a computer engineering program at the University of Toronto.

Mohamed Hassan, a graduate of Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School who received awards for his participation in physics competitions and the junior football city championships. Hassan's extracurriculars included the robotics club and the green team, and he aspires to be an aerospace engineer. He's in the Bachelor of Science in physics program at the University of Waterloo.

Leah Daniel, who graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and received an award for academic proficiency. She was a member of the robotics programming team and the diversity committee. She hopes to pursue a career in health science or engineering and is in the integrated bio-med and health sciences program at McMaster University.

Paula Ewalefo, a graduate of St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School who participated in track and field and volleyball. She volunteered with Macassa Lodge and the RCCG Food Bank. Ewalefo hopes to become a nurse serving northern communities and is in the nursing program at McMaster University.

Abygail Montague, a graduate of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School where she served as student council president. Montague was a champion for making her school a place of inclusion and equity. She is in the kinesiology program at Western University.

Naomi Ngobila, who graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School with excellent academic achievements and outstanding leadership roles within the school and the community. Ngobila hopes to become a human rights advocate and plans to pursue international law. She is a student at Western University.

Oluwanifemi Adeoye, a graduate of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School who balanced academics, extracurricular activities and community involvement, and spent time volunteering at local hospitals. She hopes to enter the field of medicine and is pursuing a health sciences degree at Queen's University.

Temitayo Babalola, a graduate of Bernie Custis Secondary School where she served as student council president and a member of the black youth council. She volunteered for local organizations and is pursuing a career in medicine. She is enrolled at Western University.

Alessia Passafiume is a reporter with The Spectator. apassafiume@thespec.com