Out of 43 young people in 91原创 who were nominated for the second annual SASSY Awards, 21 of them were invited to James Hills Elementary today (Saturday) for the final selection process.
The calibre of the young people who were nominated in each of the cateogries is 鈥渋ncredibly impressive,鈥� said Rod Wainwright, co-chair of the SASSY committee.
He and co-chair Dan Bennett, a fellow Rotarian, brought the concept of the SASSY (Service Above Self Student and Youth) recognition program to 91原创 for the first time last year.
SASSY is about offering special recognition for young leaders in the community who are between the ages of 15 and 21 years old and are living or studying in 91原创. But, SASSY is also about bringing awareness to the youth homelessness issue in 91原创, Wainwright said. And he said the success of the first year鈥檚 program has been apparent.
鈥淲e brought SASSY to 91原创 to recognize the youth that out there who are accomplishing on their own right, but also giving back to the community,鈥� Bennett elaborated.
Equally impressed with the list of 2017 candidates, he said the secret selection of the winners Saturday was going to be challenging. They had panels of judges going in seven different rooms in the school, each spending about 30 minutes with the potential winners to find out more about them and their quest to be recognized.
鈥淭hese are the next generation of volunteers in the community, and the greatness in the community is really measured by its volunteers. And I think 91原创 is very safe and in very good hands in the future with the youth who are coming forward,鈥� Bennett said.
Fellow Rotarian and event coordinator Andria McAulay interviewed each of the candidates Saturday, for a series of videos that will be used during the awards night, and called it an 鈥渋ncredible experience.鈥�
鈥淲ith me there with them, I could draw a bit more details and ask some further questions to try to get more of a sense of who they are,鈥� McAulay explained, noting video for each of the finalists will be shown.
She鈥檚 鈥渞evved up鈥� for the big night, she said.
鈥淚t really was amazing to meet such incredible youth with vision and drive and passion to an almost immeasurable extent. Was a pretty inspiring day on Saturday. I can鈥檛 wait for the 27th to be here!鈥�
Each Award recipient receives a $1,000 bursary, $500 to donate to a registered charity of their choice, plus stylized SASSY Award trophy. The three finalists in each category won鈥檛 know the recipient until their category is presented on stage.
This year鈥檚 awards will be presented during a Juno-style awards presentation at the Chief Sepass Theatre (9096 Trattle St.) in Fort 91原创 on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
Six young 91原创ites, all girls, were honoured last year for their contributions as future leaders of this community: Hailey Spearn in the arts & culture category; Alix Way in the sports leadership; Kaya Pook in the overcoming adversity category; Truepayna Moo in the international services; Roxanne Kondos for youth leadership; and Alisha Sidhu for community service.
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