Seven EMSB students recognized at GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship and Mentorship Program

The  English Montreal School Board was proud to be part of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship and Mentorship Program celebration of another remarkable milestone recently, as more than 100 guests gathered to honor the achievements of the program’s fourth cohort of outstanding students.

Sponsors, parents, school board officials, mentors, family members, friends, and community leaders filled the hall to celebrate the accomplishments of the 15 GemStars who successfully completed the 2025-2026 program. During the evening, a total of $22,500 in scholarships was awarded to these exceptional young leaders, recognizing their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to their communities.

Seven EMSB students were presented with scholarships:

• Sarah-Jane Bonnefond, Nikolaï Konieczny and Revin Otchere, Royal Vale High School;
• Sebastian Cedrick Napoleon, Royal West Academy;
• Anoushka Mabika, Westmount High School;  
• and Joel Loko, John F. Kennedy High School.

The evening began with an elegant cocktail reception that allowed guests, mentors, students, and sponsors to connect and celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates. Throughout the ceremony, the audience witnessed not only academic achievement, but also the incredible artistic talents of several GemStars and alumni. 

One of the highlights of the evening was the performance by  Anoushka, who captivated the audience with her beautiful singing and guitar performance. Her talent and confidence left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. She afterwards performed a moving duet of Bob Marley’s “One Love” with popular calypsonian Doggies, creating a memorable moment that had the audience singing along.   

In one of the evening’s most touching surprises, Theodore Blaize presented Anoushka, who is blind, with an electric guitar after being deeply impressed by her musical abilities. His generous gift will help support Anoushka as she continues to pursue her musical aspirations. 

The evening also showcased the talents of several GemStar alumni, who entertained guests with an energetic dance performance that demonstrated the lasting bonds and spirit of the program.

Anthony Jamal Coleman was chosen as Valedictorian and he delivered an exceptionally heartfelt speech that touched the hearts of everyone in attendance. His words reflected gratitude, perseverance, and hope for the future, leaving many audience members visibly emotional. Anthony, an accomplished classical pianist, later brought the ceremony to a memorable close with a beautiful classical keyboard performance that left the audience in awe. 

The keynote address was delivered by Joanna Kanga, Lead Press Secretary for the Mayor of Montreal. She encouraged the students to continue striving for excellence, to believe in themselves, and to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. 

As the program celebrates the graduation of its fourth cohort, attention now turns toward an exciting milestone year. The GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship and Mentorship Program looks forward to welcoming its fifth cohort in September 2026 as it continues its mission of inspiring excellence, leadership, and achievement among Montreal’s Black youth.

The EMSB was represented by Commissioner Sharon Nelson, Director of Human Resources Ann Watson and some school principals.

See the GemStar Grad Booklet. 

2026 GemStar Grad Booklet Revised.pdf

Log on to  www.gemstarcircleofexcellence.com

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 33,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.