LEWISTON – Ten youths were congratulated Wednesday night for being Lewiston’s Shining Stars at the 10th annual celebration in City Council Chambers.

They are Jama Ahmed, Abigail T. Blaisdell, Ted Blaisdell, Nicole Bradbury, Carter J.D. Handy, Jacob LaRoche, Nicole Court-Menendez, Mackenzi Masselli, Patrick Smith, and Katrina St. Claire.

Eight other nominees, Tiffany Beaulieu, Garrett Clark, Katherine Doyle, Kyle C. Fenderson, Kassie Labrecque, Kevin McKeown, Adam Meservier and Ashley Stuart, were recognized as well.

City Councilor Norm Rousseau told the 18 nominees, “I am inspired as both a city councilor and as a resident of this community when I look at the youth sitting before us this evening. They are part of our future’s leadership, and I’m encouraged by what they’ll surely bring to our community and our world.”

2004 Shining Star Ryan Reed also addressed the crowd. He is a sophomore at the University of Maine Farmington majoring in secondary education and social sciences.

Lewiston High School senior Kelin Sevit kicked off the evening with his rendition of the national anthem followed by a welcome and program overview by Community Relations Coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier, who served as emcee for the evening.

She made a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the 18 nominees. She and Councilor Ronald Jean, Nick Knowlton of GSM Group, and Linda Varrell of Broadreach Public Relations served as judges.

Along with a Shining Star certificate and Star key chain from the city, the 10 youths received gifts from area businesses.

The other nominees were recognized by individual presentation of an “In Celebration of Who You Are” certificate and an “I Make the Difference” key chain.

The grand prize on-site drawing of a computer system and accessories wrapped up the evening. The winner, Abigail Blaisdell, said, “During the PowerPoint presentation, I was wondering what it would feel like to win all that, and when my name was called, it was like ‘oh wow!'”