Notre Dame University-Louaize North Lebanon Campus (NDU-NLC) organized on Friday April 7, 2017, an exhilarating and festive “Inter-school Talent Competition.” Twenty schools participated and more than 50 students performed in various categories: acting, poetry, dancing, instrument-playing, and singing. The competition was held in the presence of NLC Director Fr. Samir Ghsoub, the various school principals and administrators, NLC faculty coordinators, staff, and NLC students and their parents.
Following the Lebanese national anthem, singing sensation Zein el-Omr put on a remarkable performance and was followed NLC Student Activities Coordinator Elsy Kfouri who in a warm welcome speech greeted the participants and audience. Kfouri emphasized the significance of such an event, which aims at enhancing the spirit of cooperation with the community and providing a platform to support NDU’s educational efforts for the youth to help them showcase and develop their skills and talents. She stressed on the fact that “North Lebanon will always remain the beating heart for all kinds of cultural activities” and that “NDU has and will always continue to support teenagers and young adults, because the University strongly believes they are the pillars of hope for a better national future.”
The competition then began under the watchful eye of a jury comprised of singer El-Omr; actress Takla Shamoun, dancer and coach Khanito; Professor of Ethics and International Protocol Aimee Soukar; NDU Choir Maestro of Fr. Khalil Rahme; Professor of Oriental Singing Dr. Gina Razzouk; and Arabic- Language Professor Dr. Jean Touma.
At the competition’s end, Fr. Ghsoub addressed the guests and emphasized that such events accurately reflects the true face of Lebanon; a face we all love and embrace, as it illustrates a promising outlook. He added that the purpose of NLC has always been to keep in tune with society in North Lebanon, particularly schools. Fr. Ghsoub said, “This event reveals the genuine image of NDU; an image that not only encourages knowledge and education but also encourages tomorrow’s generation to have more confidence and develop their talents and personalities.” Fr. Ghsoub congratulated the participants and the winners for creating such memorable and exciting performances and wished them the best in their future endeavors.
The winners of the competition were: Thomas Doueihy (De-Lassale Kferyachit) for his acting performance; a dance troupe (SABIS) in the dance category; Rashad Mershed (SABIS) in poetry; and three students in the singing category: Megan Khoury (SABIS), Yara Zoghby (Kferaaka National School), and Barbara Doueihy (Antonine-Zgharta). All the winners received various awards and prizes.