Youth in Langley have gone above and beyond taking on community service initiatives, as the four Rotary Clubs in Langley know well.
To recognize and honour youth making a difference in Langley, the Langley Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Langley Central, Rotary Club of Langley Sunrise, and Rotary Club of Aldergrove returned for their eighth annual ‘Service Above Self Students and Youth’ (SASSY) awards on May 4.
For students between ages 15 and 21, the awards honour those who have demonstrated the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self.’
Seven awards were given out to Langley youth at the event.
D.W. Poppy Secondary Grade 12 student Kylah Baker received the Leadership Beyond Adversity award for her help in the community.
She is president of the grad council at her school and has organized events like a Terry Fox run, homecoming, Casino Night for grads, spirit weeks, fundraisers, diversity week, a colour run, Remembrance Day assembly, and many others.
Beyond event organizing, Baker also plays violin in the school’s band and tutors a Grade 8 student and is helping them integrate into high school.
“It’s very exciting, I’ve never really been recognized for the things that I’ve done. For people to recognize I’m doing good, it felt really good,” she said.
At home, Baker also has been looking after household chores and her younger brother since her mom’s brain injury from a car accident.
She said the experience taught her how to persevere, and encourages other youth to do the same.
“If something bad is happening, it could open up a whole new world that doesn’t have to be bad, just keep pushing through it because there’s always light at the end.”
After graduation, she plans to attend the University of British Columbia to study psychology to eventually pursue her doctorate to become a psychiatrist.
Other winners of the SASSY awards were:
- Langley Fundamental student Domi Wang for Youth Leadership
- Langley Secondary student Megan Waddle for Arts and Culture Leadership
- Brookswood Secondary student Lisa Wei for Community Service
- R.E. Mountain Secondary student Emiliya Ikponmwosa for Cultural and Diversity Leadership
- Langley Fine Arts student Brielle Thibaudeau for Environmental Leadership
- R.E. Mountain Secondary student Ty Dayton for Sports Leadership
READ ALSO: Langley students win awards for innovative creations at IDEA Summit
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