Seven 91原创 youth striving to make a difference in their community are $1,000 richer and have been publicly celebrated for their outstanding contributions and leadership at a local or global level.

They are the latest winners of the SASSY awards, presented annually by the four Rotary Clubs in 91原创.

SASSY (Service Above Self 鈥� Student and Youth) exists to celebrate exceptional youth, said Rick Davis, president of the Rotary Club of 91原创 Central. And since the award鈥檚 inception nine years ago, Rotary has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to young 91原创 leaders.

鈥淭he Rotary Clubs of 91原创 believe in supporting our local youth as a cornerstone of our service to the community,鈥� Davis said.

This year鈥檚 seven SASSY winners were announced at a Juno-like event held on May 9 at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort 91原创.

鈥� Sports leadership award was given to Saje Keller

D.W. Poppy Secondary Grade 12 student Saje is a coach for the 91原创 United Soccer Association and member of the club鈥檚 Soccer for Life.

After a severe injury ended her own active soccer career as captain of her soccer team, Saje got even more involved with athletic leadership and running practices, coaching young girls, and promoting the importance of female athletes.

When coaching at her club or tutoring at junior PE classes at her school, Saje, 18, strives towards creating genuine supportive connections with people and an inclusive environment.

鈥淭his award is a fantastic recognition of the community service I have been involved in, and has allowed me to make connections within the 91原创 Rotary Club,鈥� she said.

鈥淲inning this award has encouraged me to continue my involvement in the 91原创 community and motivated me to prioritize 鈥榮ervice above self鈥�,鈥� Keller added, noting she plans to use the prize money towards her post-secondary education.

She plans to pursue a bachelor of science at the University of the Fraser Valley, with a vision of becoming a physiotherapist.

Reflecting back on the SASSY selection process, she said that was her first ever professional interview.

鈥淭he panel of Rotarians conducting the interview were extremely welcoming, encouraging, and made the process enjoyable, despite the nerves applicants [herself included] were feeling.鈥�

鈥� Environmental leadership award was presented to Ainsley MacDonald

Ainsley, a Grade 12 Walnut Grove Secondary (WGSS) honour roll student, is the leader of the WGSS Eco Team.

The 17-year-old is the team鈥檚 social media manager and event planner, and as such reaches out beyond WGSS to the whole community.

She is her school鈥檚 liaison with 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) in preparing for the annual 91原创 Earth Day event.

Ainsley has campaigned for environmental education and worked on strategies to reduce vehicle emissions around neighbouring schools.

Her volunteer efforts include maintaining her school鈥檚 aquaponics gardening system, tree planting with Trinity Western University, ravine clean-ups, and counting and protecting salmon spawn in local creeks.

鈥淚 am honoured to receive the SASSY award, and I鈥檓 excited to see the next generations of leaders take action,鈥� she said.

鈥淭o me, this award is encouragement to continue my environmental journey throughout university and adulthood,鈥� MacDonald shared, noting she鈥檚 earmarked her prize money for university.

She plans to also attend the University of the Fraser Valley, for English and education programs.

The highlight of her SASSY experience was 鈥� hands down 鈥� the people.

鈥淏y the time I left the theatre, I had made several connections with the inspiring and accomplished leaders who attended. Everybody I met was super friendly and supportive, which made the awards night very warm and welcoming,鈥� she said.

鈥� Leadership beyond adversity award was given to Toqa Abu Alkas

Toqa, a 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Aldergrove Community Secondary, is a member of the student council and serves as the school鈥檚 representative at the 91原创 City youth advisory committee.

Having arrived in Canada with her family as a Syrian refugee, Toqa applied herself diligently and received the English excellence award, as well as being chosen to be part of the School鈥檚 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.

As a VolunTEEN at 91原创 Memorial Hospital, Toqa has displayed exceptional leadership skills. As a role model to her younger siblings and young students, Toqa is an excellent mentor.

鈥淲inning the SASSY scholarship award means a lot to me,鈥� she shared.

鈥淚t made me stand out from all the hardworking participants and recognized all my hard work and effort as it paid off. The best part was seeing happiness on my supportive parents鈥� faces, who sacrificed a lot for me.鈥�

She will be using the $1,000 prize towards paying her tuition at Simon Fraser University, where she intends to major in health sciences before entering the medical field.

鈥淏eing a top winner in the youth beyond adversity category and receiving a trophy with my name on it made me forget about all the hardship I went through as I saw my parents proud of me. Being in the event with wonderful and hardworking young people was a privilege to me,鈥� she concluded.

鈥� Arts and culture leadership award went to Filip Budd

Filip, a student at British Columbia鈥檚 Institute of Technology鈥檚 Computer Technology program, graduated from Brookswood Secondary School (BSS).

In high school, Filip found his passion for coding and became an ardent game developer.

While honing and expanding his own coding skills, Filip has continued to serve as a mentor to his peers, making himself available as a consultant, team pep-talker, and marketer for the teams鈥� newly developed games.

Filip was part of the theatre group at BSS, working with other actors to create dynamic and engaging scenes, and offering support to others.

鈥� Community service award went to Michaela Garcia

91原创 Christian School (LCS) student Michaela is the president of the student council and her soccer team鈥檚 representative for the Team Up initiative.

In this role, Michaela organizes fundraising events for a youth soccer team in Malawi, Africa, sponsoring the team and providing educational material.

She also led fundraisers to support the BC Cancer Agency, led a Pajama Drive for BC Children鈥檚 Hospital, and encouraged her friends and family to join a Relay for Life walking event she organized.

At LCS, Michaela is part of multiple programs.

鈥� Youth leadership award was given to Regina Cho

R. E. Mountain Secondary student Regina founded the school鈥檚 first socio-political advocacy club, BC Youth Club, and has served as its president 鈥� organizing presentations on mental health to staff and showcasing members鈥� research on environmental challenges and political issues.

Regina has been involved in numerous debating clubs, tournaments, and events. She has inspired others by serving as head coach for the Yorkson Creek Debate Club.

She is also a teaching assistant for the Peter Ewart Middle school choir.

鈥�Cultural and diversity leadership award was presented to Amint Kim

Walnut Grove Secondary honour roll student Amint started the Rise Together Club at his school to support the Rise Together Mission Society. Through the clubs efforts, they raise awareness and money to serve students with diverse needs worldwide. She also serves as the club鈥檚 president.

Amint has been a Gator quality ambassador and serves as the vice president of her school鈥檚 student council and grad council.

She is also president of her church鈥檚 Alive Church Teens group, and she plays an active role in her church community.

Amint volunteers at the local hospital to improve patient care and serves as an oral language coach.

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Eligible youth must be between 15 and 21 years old and living or studying in 91原创. This year鈥檚 contenders went through a screening process that started back in March.

The winners in each of the seven categories receive $1,000 plus a SASSY recognition award, while each of the two runners up in those seven categories receive $500.

The are made possible thanks in large part to the support of community sponsors.

This year鈥檚 sponsors included Odlum Brown, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Trinity Western University, Quiring Trucking, JD Farms, Precision Auto Service, CBM Lawyers, First West Credit Union, Reliable Drywall, and the 91原创 School District Foundation.

The financial awards for SASSY are also made possible through two major fundraisers presented by the four Rotary Clubs of 91原创 鈥� namely RibFest 91原创, which is set for Aug. 16 to 18 this year, plus the Rotary鈥檚 50/50 mega draw, explained public relations director Lilianne Fuller.

鈥淎ll funds raised from the events go to charities and service projects that benefit the community,鈥� she noted.

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