The Semiahmoo Rotary Club in Surrey recently concluded its 14th Annual SASSY Awards. SASSY stands for Service Above Self Surrey Youth awards, which aim to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the achievements of youth aged 15-21 who exemplify the ideals of Rotary by making a positive impact in the local community and globally. The awards honor the youth living, studying, or working in the cities of Surrey and White Rock.
SASSY Awards 2024 honoured youth for their contribution in the following categories:
- Arts & Culture Leadership
- Overcoming Adversity
- Community Service
- Youth Leadership
- Environmental Leadership
- Sports & Recreation Leadership
A total of 41 nominations were received from 21 secondary schools and universities for the 2024 awards. Nominees included Benedict Anaman, Jasmine Bhagtana, Anshvir Bhangoo, Dmytro Bryk, Katie Chahal, Yuna Chiu, Daniel Cook, Janel Cruz, Harnoor Dhaliwal, Nausheen Dhanda, Jaskaran Dhesi, Maya Dusangh, Zoha Faisal, Enya Fang, Hannah Gebert, Asha Gill, Hanna Grover, Sophia Howie, Lidia Hudson, Sienna Juco, Elyse Kargl, Inaizah Khan, Helin Leung, Tiann Leung, Emma Li, Misha Makogonsky, Jaspearl Raina, Ashley Sabharwal, Juppnaam Sahni, Jasleen Sandhu, Jasmandeep Sekhon, Natalie Selvage, Marsten Sequeira, Jasmine Sidhu, Maya Sidhu, Priya Sidhu, Sanjana Sidhu, Khaliya Sidi, Jasmeen Sran, Eshaan Tirumala, and Sophie Zhang.
At an event held at the Surrey Arts Center, awards were presented to three finalists in each of the six categories. To honor their achievements in the community, the winner in each category received $1,500 and a $500 donation to be presented to a charity of their choice. The two other finalists in each category received $500 each and a $250 donation to present to the charity of their choice.
Proceeds from the SASSY Awards support Rotary youth programs like Interact and Rotaract, where youth from the community lead projects locally and globally.
