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Trent Student Wins Leader of Tomorrow Award from the National Ethnic Media and Press Council of Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Raffi Sarkissian Honoured at Award Ceremony Hosted by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in Toronto October 29

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, Peterborough

The Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada presented Trent University School of Education student Raffi Sarkissian with the Leader of Tomorrow Award at their annual awards celebration held at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Monday, October 29.

Mr. Sarkissian, an Armenian-Canadian born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, was recognized for his volunteer commitments with several groups including St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto, the Armenian National Committee, and the Armenian Youth Federation in Toronto, where he served as president for two years. He has also been a guest speaker on three occasions in classrooms within the Toronto Public and Catholic District School Boards to discuss and teach about genocides in the twentieth century, and is a contributor to various ethnic and student newspapers.

In response to winning the award, Mr. Sarkissian said: “I do not consider it as an achievement for myself alone, rather for all those who have dedicated countless years of their youth in order to educate, teach, lead, and care for others…I believe volunteers are the backbone of our country. There are countless organizations working under diverse banners operating within this great country of ours that are run by dedicated volunteers who commit countless hours to improve the society we all live in.”

As described by the Ethnic Press and Media Council, the Leader of Tomorrow Award acknowledges the outstanding contributions by a young person between 16 and 25 years of age who has combined academic excellence and exemplary volunteer service and multicultural leadership in the community, and where achievements have made a significant contribution to enrich Canadian society.

Mr. Sarkissian, who will graduate from Trent University in the spring with a Bachelor of Education degree, was presented with the Leader of Tomorrow Award by the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

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For more information, please contact:
Raffi Sarkissian, (647) 206-4769 (cell)