EMILY HSUEH
CAMPBELL’S BAY Oct. 23, 2020
The sun shone brightly on the MRC Pontiac building in Campbell’s Bay as a small group of officials and fans came together on Oct. 23 to celebrate Michaela Cahill’s achievements on La Voix.
Warden Jane Toller led the small ceremony on the MRC Pontiac building’s lawn as she awarded Cahill with a brand new award: the Paddle of Honour. It was created specifically for Cahill in order to . . .
recognize her “outstanding gift of music and accomplishments on season eight of the La Voix.”
“We wanted to hold this gathering because it was only a few days ago that Michaela was on that stage singing Imagine, and I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched it, and it gives me a shiver every time,” Toller announced.
“We don’t know if anyone else will ever receive this award because you have set the bar for everybody else … because the only person who will ever get this award again will be someone who has brought tremendous pride, joy and acclaim to the Pontiac,” Toller told a teary-eyed Cahill. Toller then presented her with a certificate and a wooden paddle engraved with the MRC’s logo.
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In attendance were Mansfield et Pontefact Mayor Gilles Dionne, Fort Coulonge pro-mayor Debbie Laporte, Clarendon Mayor John Armstrong, Sheenboro Mayor Doris Ranger, Otter Lake Mayor Kim Cartier-Villeneuve, MRC Director General Bernard Roy and some friends and family, including Cahill’s grandmother Roxanne. All had a chance to speak about how proud they were and some offered her elaborate bouquets of flowers.
“You’re a role model for so many people around the Pontiac… You’re a star and you’ve proven to everyone that a dream can come true,” Laporte said.
The ceremony shifted to a safely distant photoshoot in front of a large sign featuring Cahill’s face, where the attendees took turns posing with the singer. Cahill thanked everyone for their kind words as she struggled to hold all the gifts she was given.
“It’s beautiful and my heart is so full. I’m so thankful for the wardens and the municipal leaders for coming out and giving me this.”
Cahill told THE EQUITY she is working to publish more covers and original content in the coming months.
