During a ceremony held in the atrium of H.J. Hemens Public Library on November 23, Rosemère mayor Eric Westram and councillors Stéphanie Nantel, Philip Panet-Raymond and René Villeneuve invited eight young Rosemerites to sign the Town’s Golden Book in recognition of their talent and perseverance. Family members and other supporters were also in attendance to pay tribute to these outstanding athletic and academic achievements.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Westram addressed the honorees: “Having you here to sign the Golden Book is our way of congratulating you on what you have accomplished. We are proud of you and we want to show it. You are a setting an example for everyone in the community, especially our younger members for whom you are tremendous role models. I urge you to continue with your athletic and academic endeavours, which are a source of motivation and pride for us all.” 

Alexandre Arseneault is a 16-year-old volleyball player. He was a member of the team that won a gold medal at the 2023 Jeux du Québec. He also played for the Quebec team at the 2023 Canada Cup, ranking 4th in the process. His school team, the Académie Sainte-Thérèse Faucons (U17), came in 4th in the Juvenile school provincial championships. The Faucons named him most improved player for 2022. Playing with the Cheminots U17 civilian team, he secured the 3rd spot on the podium for 2022-2023. Alexandre is known as a serious, determined and respectful athlete, qualities that will serve him well in his plans to pursue an engineering degree.

Alexandre Arseneault surrounded by Councillor Phillip Panet-Raymond, Mayor Eric Westram, Councillor Stéphanie Nantel and Councillor René Villeneuve.

Charles-Henri Lefebvre, 17, is another talented volleyball athlete. He was on the team that brought home the gold medal from the 2023 Jeux du Québec. Charles-Henri also excels at badminton and competed in the provincial doubles championship in 2022. The same year, he was shortlisted by the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec as the best all-round athlete and student in Secondary V. As gifted in the classroom as he is on the court, Charles-Henri has been a student at Collège Lionel-Groulx since the fall.

Mayor Eric Westram and Charles-Henri Lefebvre

Jérémie Couture. Jérémie has been a bicycle racer since the age of 8. A highly disciplined and determined cyclist, he earned a gold medal at the 2023 Jeux du Québec in Rimouski. With over 15,000 km under his belt in the 2023 season, he is now ranked in the Coupes du Québec Top 5. He also participated in the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont and was upgraded to Junior U19 for the Championnat du Québec sur route in the Beauce region. He will continue to compete in this category next season. He hopes to become a professional cyclist and is already in the running for the Canadian Championships and the Tour de l’Abitibi international stage race in 2024.

Jérémie Couture

Eva Iacovelli is an 11-year-old athlete specializing in cheerleading. She and her team won the gold medal at the 2023 Magical Championship of the World by COP Brands in Mexico. She was also named flyer of the year and most spirited athlete by the RND Elite Allstars in 2023. She won a bronze medal from the Canadian Cheer National Championships in Niagara Falls in 2022 and dreams of one day launching her own cheerleading club.

Eva Iacovelli surrounded by Councillor Phillip Panet-Raymond, Mayor Eric Westram, Councillor Stéphanie Nantel and Councillor René Villeneuve  

Rémi Aubin is a trampoline athlete. He took home the gold in synchronized trampoline from the 2023 World Cup in Bulgaria, as well as a bronze medal from the 2023 World Cup in West Palm Beach. The same year, he earned the title of Canadian champion in individual and synchronized trampolining. The year before, he earned a bronze medal in the synchronized trampoline event in Portugal. Rémi is currently a student at Collège de Maisonneuve. He is known for his resilience and leadership, and has his sights set on a career in law enforcement.

Mayor Eric Westram and Rémi Aubin

William Gagnon has been playing baseball since the age of 5. During the 2023 season, he was on the Quebec team that hosted the Baseball Canada Championships (15U) and earned a bronze medal. He was also a member of the gold-winning team for the 15U AAA mid-season tournament and named the most valuable player during the semifinals. A conscientious player with good reflexes, William focuses his energy and talent on catching balls hit to centre field. He is currently enrolled in the baseball program at École secondaire Saint-Gabriel and hopes to become an electrician.

Mayor Eric Westram and William Gagnon

Francis Audet is a Secondary IV student at Académie Sainte-Thérèse. He has been taking part in the annual math competition run by the Association québécoise des jeux mathématiques since Grade 3. He ranked in 1st place in 2023 and 3rd place in 2022. At the 2023 Championnat international des jeux mathématiques et logiques in Wroclaw, Poland, he came in 2nd place, after ranking 7th in Lausanne, Switzerland, the year before. Francis is a talented student who loves math, science and robotics. He also plays the trombone in his school band.

Francis Audet

Jade Gagnière is 9 years old. She is a creative, logical and analytical problem solver. She took 1st place in the P1 category of the provincial finals of the Championnat international des jeux de mathématiques et logiques in 2023, the highest possible ranking for a student of her age. An avid reader, she aspires to a career as a pediatrician.

Jade Gagnière surrounded by Councillor Phillip Panet-Raymond, Mayor Eric Westram, Councillor Stéphanie Nantel and Councillor René Villeneuve. 

About the Golden Book

Rosemère’s Golden Book is intended to serve as a record of the visits made to the Town by important guests as well as the noteworthy achievements of residents who have distinguished themselves in a given field. The signatures in the Golden Book are a special part of the Town’s legacy and stand as a time capsule for future Rosemerites to enjoy. 

From left to right: Councillor René Villeneuve, William Gagnon, Alexandre Arseneault, Francis Audet, Mayor Eric Westram, Jade Gagnière, Jérémie Couture, Eva Iacovelli, Rémi Aubin, Charles-Henri Lefebvre, Councillor Phillip Panet-Raymond and Councillor Stéphanie Nantel.