Completed international competition
| SUBMISSIONS | AWARDS GALA | JURY REPORTS | WINNERS |
| Awards Gala  Father Marcos and Professor Larry Richards with Finalists
|
 Gala Guests |
Finalists Displays  Father Marcos and Dr. Michael presenting Commemorative Plaque to Professor Larry Richards  Mayor Don Cousens, Mr. Karygiannis MP, Councillor Alex Chiu with St. Mark's Father Marcos, Father Ammonius, Father Misael and Father Pishoy  From left: Mr. Selim El Raheb, Father Marcos, Dr. Mofeed Michael and Mr. Roger de Toit |
The gala to celebrate the winners and the finalists
took place on October 23rd 2003 in the conference hall of the Hilton
Suites Hotel of Markham. More than 620 persons attended the gala,
from the congregation, the greater Coptic community, interested businesses,
many of the participants in the competition in addition to the teams
of the twelve finalists, as well as the Mayor of the Town of Markham,
Mr. Don Cousens, members of his Council, Mr. Jim Karygiannis, MP,
as well as Professor Larry[1] Richards and the Consul of Switzerland.
The gala started with a reception and viewing the displays of the submissions of the finalists, with the classical music of the pianist Ms. Linda Roedl playing in the background, while all 64 submissions in the competition, continuously provided as a slide show on one screen and Coptic art and icons on another. Mr. Selim El Raheb, the Master of Ceremony, ushered the guests to be seated and introduced, in his poetic elegance which he maintained throughout his introduction of all speakers, Father Marcos. Welcoming words by Father Marcos Protopriest of St. Mark's, were followed by a short video about the Copts and their history. Thereafter Father Marcos said grace and invited the guests to dinner. After dinner, Mayor Cousens brought his greetings and well wishes and that of his council and spoke in support of the project. Next, Mr. Karygiannis, MP, congratulated the congregation for their wonderful successes, wishing them well along with his support. He also brought greetings and well wishes from Mr. Paul Martin, MP, contender for the Office of the next Prime Minister of Canada. The Congregation and their guests were offered a short interlude and a rare chance to listen to the tunes of Coptic hymns of Father Antonious. After dinner Dr. Mofeed Michael of Mofeed Michael Consultants, Project Manager and Chair of the Project Committee, St. Mark's Coptic Christian Church thanked the congregation, the Board of Deacons, the members[2] of the Project Committee, all the project's consultants for their support and, above all, every team who made a submission. Then he introduced the finalists at random, one at a time, who made a short audiovisual presentation. Intermittently, the guests were entertained by the rhythmic Egyptian music of Dr. George Sawa[3] and his wife. After all the presentations, Father Marcos announced[4] the winners and the honourably mentioned. He also presented the finalists and other competitors present a commemorative plaque and thanked them for their tremendous efforts. |
Master Of Ceremony, Mr. Selim El Raheb  Mr. Jim Karygiannis addressing the Gala  Dr. Mofeed Michael, Chairman of Project Committee  Dr. Sawa and Mrs. Suzanne Meyers Sawa |