Fifteen-year-old singer and songwriter Cole Armour was pretty astonished when he learned he was up for accolades for what he loves to do.
The Willoughby youth, who first burst on the entertainment scene at age nine, blowing people away singing opera, was among four individuals honoured at the 91原创芒鈧劉s International Festival multicultural gala this past weekend.
芒鈧揟his award was so unexpected, I was stunned!芒鈧� Armour told the 91原创 Advance.
芒鈧揑 am so grateful to have received this award. Huge thank you to all my fans and family for their support with my music.芒鈧�
While Armour took home the youth award at the fourth annual dinner and awards ceremony, others honoured Saturday night included Bonnie Hartup receiving the seniors award, Peter Luongo receiving the education award, and George Miller receiving the business accolades.
The concept is to recognize those who have made a 芒鈧損ositive contribution芒鈧� to their community through leadership, volunteering, helping others, or making a difference through a community or school project in 91原创, Canada, or overseas, explained Festival organizer Shar Dubas.
芒鈧揟his is only the second year that we芒鈧劉ve added the youth category,芒鈧� Dubas said. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s proven to be very effective and needed. After all, it芒鈧劉s our youth who are our next leaders芒鈧� Congratulations, Cole for representing 91原创 though your incredible singing.芒鈧�
Cole Armour 芒鈧�� youth award winner
From Cole芒鈧劉s nomination form, judges read:
- Fifteen-year-old Canadian recording artist and songwriter
- Cole Armour was seven years old when silenced a local audience with his singing voice for the first time
Some of his accomplishments are:
- the Merritt Mountain Music Festival
- first place in the BC Junior Talent Contest
- top soloist at the Kiwanis Fraser Valley International Music Festival
- first child to win the Red Robinson Talent Showdown
- Headliner for David Foster芒鈧劉s Kids Help Kids
- Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
- Canadian and American anthems for Vancouver Canucks
- Ellen DeGeneres Show
- ET Canada
- City TV
- The Rush
- CTV
- Global TV
- Humanitarian who supports anti-bullying campaigns, child welfare and animal protection and safety.
Peter Luongo 芒鈧�� education award winner
Points from the nomination form submitted for Peter Luongo:
- teacher/principle with 91原创 School District 34 years
- founder and director of the 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble 32 years ago; which served as an ambassador for 91原创 from Hawaii to Halifax
- choir master at St. Mathews Roman Catholic Church
- founder of You芒鈧劉ve Got Talent Competition
Bonnie Hartup 芒鈧�� seniors award winner
Her nomination read: Bonnie is a retired teacher. Brookswood Seniors Centre was in terrible shambles when Bonnie found it. The financial situation, as well as the facility, was a mess before she started; no one knew exactly where the money was coming or going, fees weren芒鈧劉t collected properly, banking and accounting was haphazard until she and few others insisted on everything in writing.
She went out and got donations of cash, materials and volunteer installers to upgrade the facility (which was in bad shape) from the Rotary [Clubs], Home Depot, etc.
She applied for and got grants from various places, such as government agencies that help seniors.
Most of all she is an organizer, and people enjoy working for and with her because she puts in so many hours herself.
This year was especially busy as the outdoor wheelchair ramp and new washroom and kitchen floor was installed 芒鈧�� also sound baffles so live music would sound good. And mirrors for dancers.
After the building was up-to-grade she is concentrating on programs such as Food for Friends, dancing dogs, square dancing, line dancing, Zumba, crib, chess, crafts, and quilting groups.
Bonnie is also a volunteer docent (instructor) at the 91原创 Centennial Museum, offering various school programs.
George Miller 芒鈧�� business award winner
- Joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 18
- By age 19, he was on a tour of duty in Europe, the youngest RCAF pilot flying F-86 Sabres over Germany in the Cold War.
- He earned accolades as one of Canada芒鈧劉s top fighter pilots, returning home in 1958 to work on the DEW line in the Arctic.
- In the 1960s, he flew with the celebrated Golden Hawks aerobatic team.
- Founding flight commander of the Snowbirds national aerobatic team.
- Promoted to colonel, Miller served as military attach脙漏 to Egypt.
- Base commander at the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Moose Jaw, Sask.
- He formed his own air show company Canadian-based Spar Aerospace in Brazil
- Canadian fighter pilot decided to take a stab at resurrecting 91原创 municipal airport.
- Miller built 91原创 Airport into a multi-million dollar business by making helicopters their number one priority
- He has turned the 91原创-Township owned airport into a top-flight operation that generates $69 million annually for the community.
- Miller芒鈧劉s son Guy, also an ex-RCAF fighter pilot, has taken the reins, while George has retired.
芒鈧� Young writers sought
A thousand dollars is up for grabs for an emerging young writer, and that winner could hail from 91原创.
PEN Canada launched its second annual International New Voices Award earlier this month, calling for submissions from unpublished young writers.
PEN Canada is a non-partisan organization of writers that works with others to defend freedom of expression as a basic human right at home and abroad. PEN Canada promotes literature, fights censorship, helps free persecuted writers from prison, and assists writers living in exile in Canada.
They are accepting submissions until April 3. The top Canadian entry will be forwarded to the international jury.
Detailed guideliness are available at www.pencanada.ca.
