Youth Honours
By John Swartz
The Orillia Youth Centre had its annual Chuck Panozzo Youth Legacy Award Friday at Rustica Pizza Vino. Neither Marc Cohen, who is the connection to having the award named for the original bassist and founding member of Styx, or Chuck Panozzo could recall whether it was 6 or 7 years ago the award started.
As a surprise, Cohen was given the Orillia Youth Centre Humanitarian Award. Ethan Odlozinski was honoured with a youth award for a number of things he does in the community including starting a school lunch program and helping to build facilities at a girl’s school in Kenya.
Brandon Rhéal Amyot’s award was a surprise. He thought he was in attendance simply to be a speaker. Amyot is the key figure in establishing LGBTQ student rights in Simcoe county and president of Fierté Simcoe Pride.
Panozzo, who revealed he is gay in 2001, has HIV and advocates for AIDS awareness and gay rights. He dropped out of performing with the band because of HIV related illness and cancer, but he still makes appearances on stage from time to time, notably every time Styx plays Casino Rama.
(Photos and Video by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia) Main:
Ethan Odlozinski and Brandon Rhéal Amyot lunch with Chuck Panozzo at Rustica Pizza Vino.