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Students, restaurateur each contribute unique expertise continued from p.4 Program, where she plays the flute for residents at long-term care facilities. Kiara Hassan Hassan was selected for her achievements and leadership on the White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) and Canadian national debate teams. The 18-year-old was "very happy, very honoured" to win the Leading Girls Award, she said, noting she will be working at Flynn's office this summer as an intern. Hassan, an active debater for four years, has competed on behalf of her school and Canada at the international level. The latter was at the Pan American Schools Debate Championships in March. The WOSS student joined debate because she "really liked" public speaking when she was younger, Hassan said, and enjoys learning about politics and international issues. "I really liked it in Grade 9. It was very tough and competitive, but I thrive on that sort of environment. I ended up doing pretty well," she said. "I worked very hard to put a lot of hours in and improve my skills. I was happy I represented Canada at an international level with some amazing people." Besides being the WOSS debate team president, Hassan leads the Law and Mock Trial Club and has co-directed plays in the school's Fringe Festival. homes, shelters and charities. Julia Hanna Hanna, founder and owner of Ristorante Julia and Ritorno Restaurant, received the Leading Women Award for her 30-plus years of culinary and entrepreneurial experience in the Oakville community. "You do things everyday, you're doing them for the right reasons... when it gets acknowledged, it is overwhelmingly joyous," said Hanna. "You feel, surprisingly, a little bit guilty because there are so many incredible women out there who should be receiving it also." As founder of the Healthy Family Program, Kids Culinary Community and Seniors & Family Culinary Community, Hanna helps individuals and families build and sustain healthy relationships with food. "Whether with family or friends, once you sit at a table, you are now connected to these people. If we don't get to sit at a table and break bread, where do we get to have that kind of unthreatened connection?" asked Hanna, also a public speaker and host of local cable show Return to the Table. 13 | Friday, July 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Maeve Crowne Maeve Crowne Crowne, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was recognized for her contributions to Abbey Park High School's (APHS) Legal Eagles, LINK Crew and Young Women in Leadership Council. Last year, she became the first Grade 11 student to qualify for the Mock Trial team and led the Legal Eagles, in addition to organizing the Youth in Law and Justice Evening. Outside of school, Crowne works at Panera Bread to package leftover food that is donated to DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky W Wong For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 DIRECTBUY MEMBERSHIP OFFERS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST INCREDIBLE SAVINGS! We combine unbeatable product knowledge, design know-how and customer support, product-savvy specialists, trusted designers and shopping consultants to deliver the right styles for the right price - Guaranteed! DirectBuy is a savings club that provides members a tremendous opportunity to save on merchandise they purchase through us. We now offer the DirectBuy Savings Guarantee! What are you waiting for? MISSISSAUGA Visit mississauga.directbuy.com Call (905) 608 9244 COME IN TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS!