Five local performers were presented with Awesome Kid Awards at Monday's (Sept. 23) Okotoks Town Council Meeting.
Jack Leathwaite, Natalli Bencharski, Nash Bencharski, Hadley Janssen, and Cleavon Laquibla were among the over 100 Young Canadians School of Performing Arts performers to participate in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.
They performed for all 10 nights of the Stampede, and Janssen gave Council an idea of the preparation that goes into the marquee performances.
"Around Grandstand time, our rehearsals can get pretty extensive. Very, very long. Didn't we have a 12-hour day? But it's all worth it, it's a very fun show."
Council members also gave the performers' parents a shoutout for their hard work, particularly when it comes to transporting their kids to and from Calgary for rehearsals and performances.
Several of the local Young Canadians shared what they love about the program at the meeting, with Laquibla recalling a standout moment from her first rehearsal.
"When I first sang, I stuttered a bit but after that, everyone started applauding. I had a face full of confusion because I was like 'I did a five-second solo that everyone has to do and I stuttered, so why is everyone applauding?' I learned that all the love and support encouraged me to become not only better at my talent but better as a person."
Four of the five Young Canadians members were able to attend the ceremony, with Jack Leathwaite appearing via a video message.
This was Leathwaite's eighth and final year with the Young Canadians, and he's just started his first year at the CLI Conservatory in Massachusetts.
Certificates and t-shirts were presented to the Awesome Kids Award recipients, with Leathwaite's mother Lynda accepting them on his behalf.