Seven SASSY 91原创 youth were honoured by their peers, the local Rotary Clubs, and a theatre full of supporters Thursday night.
Four of the students recognized were from Walnut Grove Secondary, two were from R.E. Mountain, and one from 91原创 Secondary School.
They were the 2018 recipients of the Service Above Self Student Youth (SASSY) Awards, which were handed out at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort 91原创.
Each of the winners walked away with a stylized, S-shaped glass trophy, as well as a $1,000 bursary.
This was the third consecutive year that all four Rotary Clubs in 91原创 have come together to host this youth recognition award night.
Specifically, the SASSYs are designed to acknowledge the accomplishments of dozens of 91原创鈥檚 young people, ranging in age from 15 to 21, who make a difference in the community and demonstrate the Rotary ideal of 鈥渟ervice above self,鈥� explained founder and presenting sponsor Rod Wainwright of Lantrax Logistics.
鈥淭here are some fabulous young people out there in 91原创, and they need to be recognized,鈥� said Wainwright, who is also a Rotarian.
鈥淭ake a look at the youth around you,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in good hands.鈥�
The list of winners spoke to the calibre of this community鈥檚 future leaders, said emceed Jasmine Lee and Ashley Haines, two of last year鈥檚 SASSY winners who returned to help the group that gave so much to them.
The community service award for 2018 was presented to Donita Raci, while the arts and culture award was given to R.E. Mountain student Kenneth Xing.
The International service award was given to another R.E. Mountain student, Allison Greenfield, while the sports leadership award was bestowed upon Walnut Grove Secondary鈥檚 Matthew Martens.
The environmental leadership award was also given to a Walnut Grove student, Hannah Cardle, while WGSS鈥� own Hayley Lee was selected to receive the youth leadership award, and the leadership beyond Adversity went to yet another Walnut Grove student, Netanya Castillo.
And last, but not least, the community service award was presented to 91原创 Secondary鈥檚 Donita Raci.
While the awards are coordinated by the Rotary Clubs in 91原创, and the event is produced and chaired by Rotarian Andria McAulay.
鈥淵outh are our future,鈥� McAulay said, insistent that the evening鈥檚 celebration be all about recognizing those youth.
鈥淭hank you to all our incredible SASSY nominees, you continue to inspire this committee more than you know鈥︹�� she said.
In addition to the awards given out at Thursday鈥檚, this year each of the runners up also received $500.
Further, each of this year鈥檚 applicants was asked to submit the name of a 91原创 charity they would like to see receive financial aid from the SASSYs.
Three thousand dollars was divvied up between three local charity efforts, based on the votes from the nominees. That translated to $750 for the new Youth Hub run by Encompass Support Services, a further $750 to the Community Justice Initiatives, and $1,500 to the Weekend Fuelbag program.
The third annual awards night also featured a variety of youth entertainers, including the R.E. Mountain jazz band, two performers from Circus Lab, and the advance dancers from Kick It Up a Notch Academy.
鈥� Stay tuned to the 91原创 Advance for more about the awards night and the winning students
