The 2026 edition of the Rural Youth Gala took place on May 22 at the recreation centre in Ormstown. This year marked the 15th annual event honouring young people across the Haut-Saint-Laurent.
The rock-and-roll-themed ceremony included several stirring performances including rock anthems, medleys, and guitar solos, which took place between the awarding of certificates and prizes in six different categories.
The masters of ceremony for the evening were Kacey Patenaude and Antoine Bonin Martel, while presenters of the evening’s awards included Marie-Claude Picard, the press attaché for Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette; Steve Hickey, the press attaché for Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon MP Claude DeBellefeuille; Nadya Kovacs of the Montérégie West Community Network; Chateauguay Valley Regional High School music specialist, Lynn Harper; and Nathalie Collin of the Huntingdon Maison des Jeunes.
A panel of judges reviewed 53 applications representing over 100 young people. Each nominee received a certificate of merit, while several winners were announced per category. The jury also singled out certain nominees as honourary mentions or jury’s favourites for their individual efforts.
There were 41 nominations in the volunteering and community involvement category including the members of the Maison des Jeunes Youth Committee, while one person was highlighted for their work related to the environment. A total of six nominees received certificates for their cultural projects, including the members of the Chateauguay Valley Regional High School’s After Hours choir.
The largest category, with 54 nominees, recognized students for their school and social perseverance, while three young nominees were rewarded for their positive living habits. The final category shone the spotlight on ten nominees for their commitment, resilience, and determination in the management of their life path or their support for others on their personal journey.
This year marked the first time a category was created for a group of passionate and dedicated adults who contribute in one way or another to the growth and success of the young people being honoured. Six women were nominated for the inaugural Counsellor of the Year award, which was presented to Mélissa Aubin, a special education technician with the Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest.
The evening then ended with the awarding of the Petit JR of the Year award to Benjamin Villemaire, who was nominated for his resilience and engagement in his life path.
Jury members Myriam Paiement and Stéphanie Lebire remarked that all the nominees set the stage on fire in their own way. “We, as a jury, were blown away by your energy, your authenticity, and your determination. You reminded us that the future belongs to those who are not afraid to step up and play to their own sound,” said Lebire.