Photos by Ian Watson

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It was a frigid -10 degrees celsius in Toronto, the kind of day usually reserved for indulging in hot chocolate at home while watching a classic movie. However, on this particular day, I felt a heightened sense of anticipation in the air as it was the 3rd Annual Aroni Awards, and my second time at such a worthy event. The Aroni Awards was created in 2006 in honour of Aron Haile who died in a tragic car accident in 2003. Aron's siblings Helen, Lia and Mesfun Haile created The Aroni Awards to honour the community's unsung heroes and to inspire young people just as Aron had. The Award ceremony was held at the Atlantis Pavilion on Toronto's picturesque waterfront.

The festivities kicked off at 4PM with a cocktail hour/silent auction in a beautiful room, with an enviable view of the Toronto Skyline. The mood was festive and the atmosphere was as warm inside as it was cold outside. The guys from Free Style Soccer entertained the crowd with their soccer skills as the guests mingled. Guests were partaking in light chatter about who invited them to the event and who had already coveted certain auction items. This chatter seemed to become less and less light as the trips to the bar became more frequent. My crew & I flew in from NYC for this event and I learned that quite a few people flew in from all over to attend the gala. As I worked my way around the silent auction room, I saw some very noteworthy items being auctioned off. I had my eye on the Burberry Sunglasses, and the new official Toronto Raptors Chris Bosh's Jersey. I placed my bid and hoped for the best. I wanted to bid on the courtside seats to the Raptors game but I was flying back to NY the very next day 9.

After making some new friends in the cocktail room it was time to move the party to the main room to start the ceremony. As the three-course dinner was being served, the show opened with Baby Boys, a very entertaining dance troupe. The athleticism fused with creative dance moves seemed the perfect recipe to warm the crowd up for the presenters and recipients to follow.

The ceremony officially began with a welcome monologue from Co-Hosts Jay Martin and Patricia Jaggernauth on the purpose and more importantly, the relevance of The Aroni Awards. To further drive home the magnitude of what The Aroni Awards stand for, there was also an opening remark by Councilor Adam Giambrone from the City of Toronto.

The first award of the evening was the Aroni "Inspire" Award, which was presented to Michael "Pinball" Clemons by Councilor Adam Giambrone. Michael had been a standout player in professional football, including coaching the Argos. Michael's acceptance speech was particularly memorable for he spoke of humility, and exhibited the passion that earned him the fitting Inspire Award. At some point Michael Clemons got so emotional that he jumped off the stage and on to a chair of one of the tables filled with youth and continued his acceptance speech.

Aroni Awards Educational Bursaries were later presented to Trovaunnie Parks, Julio Cesar Ortis Alvarado and Simone Soman (a blind student who is now pursing a bachelor of Music degree). A performance by the talented Kgomotso Tsatsi, ended the first half of the Awards Gala.

During intermission, the crown mingled some more, there where photo ops, interview from several media houses... and yours truly went to the silent auction room to check on my bids. Rats! Some people are trying to outbid me! So I raised my bids... and walked to the bar.

The second half of event began with Isaiah Gibbons and the Pangea Sounds. Isaiah is a talented drummer and he is ONLY 12!!!!! Yes 12!! During his solo, the rest of the group exited the stage & Isaiah wowed the crowd with his drumming skills. Amazing! He continued to play all night long with the house band, The Jesse Bear band. Poet Al St Louis also performed with the band.

AroniMAGE Awards were later presented to Lara Tavares, Thomas Tewoldemedhi, Helena Shimeles, Francis Jeffers & CIA Bounce. Some of The Aroni Awards presenters included CTV's Karlene Nation, Flow 93.5's radio personalities, NBA XL's Mark Strong, Recording Artist Shannon Alvares, and The Aroni Awards 08 co-sponsor Astra Zenaca.

The Hon. Margarett R. Best, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion, made the closing remarks. "Tonight's awardees are great examples of what Aron stood for," said the Hon. Margarett Best. "He seized every opportunity to excel and he gave back to the community. That is his legacy and that is how I will always remember him... These Awards are a fulfillment of his dream to create a forum where we, as a community can support and encourage our youths as they forge their dreams often through hardship & challenges, just like Aron."

The show closed with the performance of "Yes You Can" by Canadian Idol's Toya Alexis. While Toya mesmerized the crowd with her electrifying voice, a very moving video tribute was playing, chronicling the instrumental figures particularly in African Canadian/American history; monumental figures the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Barack Obama, and how fitting and appropriate, Toronto's own figure of community and inspiration, Aron Haile. As his photo flashed on the screen, applause and ovation filled the room. It was very special to see Aron's father (Yohannes Haile) present at the ceremony and receive a standing ovation from the some 400 guests present. It must have been overwhelming for the proud father to be in the company of so many guests that Aroni has touched directly and indirectly.

The evening progressed very smoothly with presenters honored to be participating and award recipients exhibiting grace, humility and altruism rarely seen and recognized. Thank you Aroni Awards Organizing Committee and volunteers, for a wonderful evening. I look forward to the 2009 Aroni Awards.

And did I mention, I won the bid for the Chris Bosh Jersey!!!!!

Jermaine D.,
for Trini Jungle Juice