The Guyana Awards Committee is honoured to announce the ten winners of the prestigious Guyana Awards at the upcoming Awards Gala on May 26, 2007, Guyana's Independence Day, at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill.

Following a rigorous process of evaluation of the many nominations submitted, an independent panel of distinguished judges has selected the following winners:

• Youth Award - Academic Excellence: Trisha Punit
• Business Excellence Award: Laparkan Trading Limited
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Sister Hazel Anne Campayne
• Community Service Award (Individual): Dr. Vivian Rambihar
• Leadership Award: Frank Fernandes
• Special Achievement Award: Dr. Suresh Narine
• Academic Excellence Award: Dr. Vishnudutt Chris Lakhan
• Media Award: Pride News Magazine - Michael Van Cooten
• Community Service Award (Organization): Guyana Berbice Association (Toronto)
• Exemplary Service Award: Human Concern International - Toronto

The Awards recognize the special contributions of distinguished individuals and organizations in the Guyanese Diaspora toward the promotion and development of Guyana, Guyana's heritage and culture, as well as acknowledging the achievement of excellence by Guyanese individuals and community organizations. The high calibre of this year's awardees will, no doubt, instill a greater sense of pride in the Guyanese Community and provide positive role models for our youth.

This year's Awards Gala - the premier event in the Guyanese Community - includes a special programme of entertainment featuring Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Victor Shim. The Gala commences at 6.00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and presentation of the Awards, then on to celebrating in true Caribbean spirit to the exhilarating sounds of Bryon Lee.

The Charity of Choice for 2007 is St. John Ambulance - Toronto Branch, which has provided emergency services to the Guyana Independence Festival for several years.

The Guyana Awards Committee invites you to celebrate with the "Who's Who" in the Guyanese and wider Toronto communities including several dignitaries, government officials, members of the Toronto diplomatic corps, past award recipients and representatives of Guyanese organizations and businesses. The Guyana Awards Gala is the official kick-off of the annual Cross Canada Guyana Independence Celebrations, launching a program of events across Canada and culminating in the 3-day Guyana Festival from June.22-24.

Tickets are available at $100 per person and can also be bought by tables of eight. For information and tickets, contact Beverly Shim-Chim (416) 326-5121 or Anna Punit (905) 686-4711.

There will be several door prizes including air tickets to Guyana and the Caribbean donated by Caribbean Airlines.

The Awards Committee would like to acknowledge its corporate sponsors: Moneygram International Money Transfer, TD Canada Trust, Royal Bank of Canada, El Dorado Rums, Atlas International Freight Forwarders Inc., Sheridan College, Dr. Nar Daljeet & Associates, CGX Energy Inc. The media sponsors for this event are Guyana Current, Pride News Magazine, Caribbean Xpress and Shabnam Radio.