UPDATE: The deadline has been extended to Friday, March 16.
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The hunt is on again for exceptional youth in 91原创.
This search shouldn鈥檛 be too difficult, according to George Bryce, one of the key organizers for this year鈥檚 SASSY Awards.
Nominations close at midnight this coming Friday, March 9. And while there are only eight applications received so far, Bryce said it鈥檚 not a worry. By week鈥檚 end, he expects that number to jump significantly.
鈥淲e know from the last two years that there will be a flood this coming week,鈥� Bryce told the 91原创 Advance, one of the co-sponsors of the annual Service Above Self Student Youth (SASSY) Awards.
鈥淟ast year we received 42 nominations, and we鈥檙e optimistic that we will receive more than 60 this year.鈥�
For the third year running, 91原创 Rotary Clubs are joining forces to host the SASSYs, and recognize youth who exemplify leadership in seven different categories: sports leadership, youth leadership, community service, leadership in arts, & culture, international service, environmental leadership, and leadership beyond adversity.
In addition to receiving a stylish glass SASSY Award, each award winner in past has received a $1,000 bursary towards post-secondary education and a $500 donation to the charity of their choice, on their behalf.
This year, Rotary is upping the ante.
New this year, the two runners up in each category will also receive $500 bursaries.
鈥淲e are excited about this, as we get to support 14 more 91原创 youth as they move forward,鈥� Bryce said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 21 91原创 youth to receive $14,000.鈥�
Following Friday鈥檚 deadline, applications will be reviewed and the judging session will once again be held at James Hill Elementary on Saturday, April 28.
Bryce 鈥� who is an Aldergrove Rotarian in charge of organizing the judging process 鈥� said whittling down all the entrants to the top three in each category is no small feat.
Thankfully, he said, it鈥檚 not up to him. It鈥檚 a decision shared with 21 judges (mainly Rotarians and some community members).
The detailed screening process culminates with an awards ceremony happening on Thursday, May 17, again at Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort 91原创. The evening typically includes awards presentations and some entertainment.
And as was the case last year, the 2018 awards night will be emceed by two of last year鈥檚 SASSY winners, Jasmine Lee and Ashley Haines.
Each year the event also brings awareness to an important community issue impacting 91原创 youth.
In year one, the focus was the Youth Homelessness Task Force, which brought about the Youth Hub set to open later this month in 91原创.
In their second year, SASSY organizers wanted to shed light on the student driven food program called Weekend Fuelbag, 鈥渨hich has been doing exceptionally well this year securing some strong partnership,鈥� Bryce said.
鈥淭his year we expect to provide a great platform for another worthwhile initiative,鈥� he added, unwilling to divulge the details just yet but promising it will be part of the award night presentations.
For more information on the SASSY Awards, people can visit a.
