African-Caribbean youth celebrated By Molly Hayes
The Hamilton Spectator (Oct 21, 2012)
For years, Tiana Traficante has used her love of performing to make a difference at her school and in her community.
The Bishop Ryan graduate was recognized this weekend for her hard work in Hamilton, turning her passion into more than 300 volunteer hours.
Traficante was one of 14 recipients of the African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Inc.’s scholarship this weekend at its 17th annual awards event at the Hamilton Convention Centre.
The best and brightest in Hamilton’s young African-Caribbean community are recognized each year for academic excellence and contributions to the community. To date, more than 150 scholarships and bursaries have been awarded through the ACCPI.
Traficante is now a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has spent more than 300 hours volunteering for different causes including teaching free classes at the Guava Tree Theatre and Dance Company, and performing at a variety of local charity events.
OTHER WINNERS
Winston Vernon: Participated in extracurricular clubs at St. Jean de Brébeuf while also giving his time as an assistant coach for a local minor football team. He is now studying engineering at McMaster.
Arsema Teclemariam: The St. Thomas More grad has organized events with proceeds going to Haiti and the Dominican Republic while maintaining an exemplary academic record. She now studies life sciences at McMaster.
Alicia Taylor: Played on a number of sports teams while maintaining first-class honour status at Bishop Ryan. She now studies arts and business at the University of Waterloo.
Jyleah Sorzano-Julien: The Cathedral grad played on a number of teams while also volunteering to raise money for treatment for children with cleft palates in developing countries. She now studies criminology at Laurier.
Raheem Aman: Graduated from Cathedral with a 90 per cent average while playing on a number of school sports teams. He also raised more than $2,000 for charity in a single summer. He is studying humanities at McMaster.
Jeremy Kyei: The St. Jean de Brébeuf grad and local church volunteer led a trip to Uganda, visiting several orphanages in the region. He now studies Life Sciences at McMaster.
Khadisha Harvey: Was one of the first female students to join the previously all-male wrestling team at Cathedral. She also worked with the Children’s Literacy Camp and the Out of the Cold program before heading to Queen’s University to study nursing.
Rachel Goodland: The Bishop Tonnos grad has maintained an average of more than 90 per cent throughout high school and received an award for earning the highest marks in law in Grade 11. She’s now studying life sciences at McMaster.
mhayes@thespec.com905-526-3214
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