Academic excellence, athletic performance, and civic engagement: Saint-Martin's CEES honored 19 student-athletes on Saturday who distinguished themselves throughout the year. This edition was marked by a triple win for young cyclist Ashtan Benitez, who was also the valedictorian of his class.
The second Rising Talents ceremony of Saint-Martin's Center for Excellence and Education through Sport (CEES) took place this Saturday, June 27, in the conference room of the Grand Case Beach Club. The audience was deliberately smaller than last year, welcoming only "the cream of the crop" of student-athletes who distinguished themselves this year through their academic, athletic, and civic qualities. "A choice that honors those who have understood the profound meaning of our pursuit of excellence,"stated Marc G. Ménard, the Collectivity's elected official for sports.
Nineteen Award Winners
This year, 71 young people (15 girls and 56 boys) were supported by the seven territorial sports centers of Saint-Martin's CEES, namely athletics, basketball, beach tennis, cycling, football, and gymnastics. On Friday evening, 19 of them were honored. "They have understood that excellence is not a gift, but a daily choice, a choice of effort, a choice of discipline, a choice of perseverance,"congratulated Marc G. Ménard.
Launched 3 years ago in partnership with the National Education services, CEES places particular emphasis on academic monitoring. "Sporting success is truly meaningful when it is built upon lasting educational and pedagogical success, founded on activity, hard work, rigor, self-confidence, and respect for others,"as interim Vice-Rector Fanny Giausseran reminded everyone. Also present that evening, the Prefect of the Northern Islands, Cyrile Le Vély, highlighted the commitment of all stakeholders who support the young student-athletes, "coaches, teachers, and families," essential for their progress.
Ashtan Benitez, Valedictorian
"He plays a complicated sport that few of us would want to do: cycling,"began CEES Director Charles-Henry Palvair. A 9th-grade student, Ashtan Benitez swept all the awards that evening. The ASCESM member, U17 Caribbean Vice-Champion and U17 Guadeloupe Road Champion this season, won awards for academic, civic, and athletic excellence, making him the valedictorian of the 2025-2026 class.
Classes resume on August 24
An information meeting was held on June 20 at the Grand Case Beach Club, which brought together about thirty future student-athletes and their families. They learned about how the program works, the support mechanisms for the triple academic, athletic, and socio-educational project, as well as the expectations for their integration. Selected students will have their pre-start on August 24 at Soualiga College, before the start of their integration week, marking their entry into the Territorial Sports Centers.
Results by category
Academic Excellence
- Athletics: Gaelle JOSEPH
- Basketball: Kael HANSON
- Beach Tennis: Margot BRUNEL
- Cycling: Ashtan BENITEZ
- Football: Ylann ROMNEY
- Gymnastics: Chanel ROUSSEAUX
- Tennis: Oscar JUHEL
- Sailing: Adam GUMBS
Civic Excellence
- Athletics: Maelia ABOGDJINOU
- Basketball: Ethan BERLANGER
- Beach Tennis: Constant MONIN
- Cycling: Ashtan BENITEZ
- Football: Akeelah HUNKINS
- Gymnastics: Na'Omy LEJEUNE CHARBONIER
- Tennis: Noah VISNELDA
- Sailing: Saut CLAUS LAROCHE
Sporting Excellence
- Athletics: Bianca CABRERA PAROTTE
- Basketball: Jonas CARTY
- Beach Tennis: Charlotte CLAUDEL
- Cycling: Ashtan BENITEZ
- Football: Akeelah HUNKINS
- Gymnastics: Chanel ROUSSEAUX
- Tennis: Noah VISNELDA
- Sailing: Clément LERNORMAND
Source: LePélican
