First held last year, the 'Rising Talents' ceremony of the Center of Excellence through Education and Sport (CEES) honors young athletes. The second edition took place last Friday at the Grand Case Beach Club, marking a splendid end to the sports season.
71 athletes, comprising 15 girls and 56 boys, are supported by the CEES within the Territorial Sports Centers, which bring together young student-athletes, the National Education system, and sports organizations to assist them in their journey. While all participants were in the spotlight across nine categories during the first edition, this year's event was held in a more restricted format. This choice was justified by CEES director, Charles-Henri Palvair, to reward the most deserving individuals – those who excelled in academic, athletic, and civic aspects.
Academic and athletic success
Although they compete in seven different sports – athletics, basketball, Beach Tennis, cycling, football, gymnastics, sailing – the 19 young athletes honored share several common traits: average grades of around 18/20 in school, an average of 8 hours of training per week, and up to 12 hours for the youngest awardee this year, an 8-year-old who commits to a demanding weekly gymnastics program. It was based on these rather rigorous criteria that the awards ceremony and the distribution of gifts from CEES's various partners were organized, all under the watchful eyes of the parents, who also play an essential role in their children's success, as they are, as Marc Gérald Menard, president of CEES, reminded everyone, guarantors of commitment, rigor, and discipline.
Indeed, the program established by CEES in partnership with the National Education system contributes to this dual success. According to Fanny Giausseran, interim Vice-Rector, sport is "a tremendous space for learning about collective life." These young people also demonstrate civic engagement, exhibiting qualities that Prefect Cyrille Le Vély was keen to commend, stating that these "ambassadors show that excellence is built through effort."
Ashtan Benitez, top student of the 2025-2026 class
Ashtan Benitez is the rising star of Saint-Martin cycling. A licensed ASCESM member and a 9th-grade student, he distinguished himself by winning the academic excellence award with an enviable average grade, the civic excellence award for his perseverance and respect, and the athletic excellence award for his titles as U17 Caribbean Vice-Champion and U17 Guadeloupe Road Champion this season.
CEES, established three years ago, demonstrates that physical and intellectual abilities can be combined. We look forward to next year for a new sports season that could yield a harvest of medals. Until then, other young people will join the program, and future student-athletes and their families will be welcomed starting August 24th at Soualiga Middle School for the CST pre-start, marking the beginning of integration week.
CEES Rising Talents 2026: The Awardees
The Territorial Sports Centers' coordinators propose the nominees and awardees to ensure a fair and merit-based selection of young people. In line with the very concept of CEES, the young people were rewarded not only for their athletic performance but also for their academic results and civic involvement.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD 2025-2026
* Gaëlle Joseph (athletics) - 7th grade at Mont des Accords Middle School
* Kaël Hanson (basketball) - 7th grade at Soualiga Middle School
* Margot Brunel (beach tennis) - Robert Weinum High School
* Ashtan Benitez (cycling) - 9th grade
* Ylann Romney (football) - 8th grade at Soualiga Middle School
* Chanel Rousseaux (gymnastics) - 3rd grade at Happy School
* Oscar Juhel (tennis) - Final year at Blyth Academy
* Adam Gumbs (sailing) - 6th grade at Mont des Accords Middle School
CIVIC EXCELLENCE AWARD 2025-2026
• Maelia Abodgjinou (athletics)
• Ethan Berlanger (basketball) for his calm and resilience;
• Constant Monun (Beach tennis) for his commitment and dynamism;
• Ashtan Benitez (cycling) for his perseverance and respect;
• Akeelah Hunkins (football) for her dedication and determination;
• Na’Oly Lejeune Charbonnier (gymnastics) for her courage and diligence;
• Noah Visnelda (tennis) for his altruism and fair play;
• Saul Claus-Laroche for his commitment and maturity.
SPORTS EXCELLENCE AWARD 2025-2026
• Bianca Carbrera (Athletics), member of the Avenir Sportif Club, 8 hours of training per week;
• Jonas Carty (basketball), member of RCM, 8 hours of training per week;
• Charlotte Claudel, member of the Kakao Beach Club, Guadeloupe champion in senior women's doubles, 25th FFT and 380th ITF, 8 hours of training per week;
• Ashtan Benitez (cycling), member of ASCESM, U17 Caribbean vice-champion, U17 Guadeloupe road champion;
• Akeelah Hunkins (football), member of Juventus;
• Chanel Rousseaux, with the Saint-Martin Gymnastics Club, Guadeloupe champion 2026, Antilles-Guyana team vice-champion, 17th in the French inter-committee championship. 12 hours of training per week!
• Noah Visnelda (tennis), member of TCISM;
• Clément Le Normand, Saint Martin Voile pour Tous club, won all the regattas of the season in which he participated.
Source: Le97150
