The Semiahmoo Rotary Club, in partnership with the City of Surrey, is proud to announce the 16th Annual SASSY Awards. SASSY incorporates Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self,” which stands for Service Above Self Surrey Youth.

The SASSY Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the achievements of youth who exemplify the values of Rotary by making a positive impact in our community, and are neither a scholarship nor a bursary.

Category winners and finalists will be announced at the 16th Annual SASSY Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held at 7:00 pm at Surrey City Hall on Friday, December 4, 2026. All nominees and guests are expected to attend the reception and Presentation Ceremony.

Nominations are now being accepted in four categories for youth aged 15 to 21 living, studying, volunteering, or working in Surrey or White Rock. 

All nominations must be received no later than Sunday, October 11, 2026 (11:59 pm).

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a SASSY Award, nominees/applicants must be:

1. Between the ages of 15 and 21 as of Deccember 4, 2026
2. A resident, enrolled in a school, volunteering, or working in Surrey or White Rock

*Proof of eligibility may be required to validate final nominees

Here is what you will need to do to complete this form:

• Designate your choice of registered Canadian Charity, including contact information, address, and registration # on page 5
• Upload "SASSY Candidate Service Table." The form can be downloaded below and uploaded on page 6
• Upload "SASSY Candidate Reference Form." The form can be downloaded below and uploaded on page 6
• Provide a photo of the Nominee/Applicant on page 6
• Provide a brief 1-minute self-made video outlining the Nominee/Applicant's accomplishments and showcasing the amazing work they are doing for the community on page 6. These videos will be used to honour and celebrate you on social media leading up to and at the event.
  • Hover here for Video Tricks & Tips

    Here are some tips to help you record videos at home with your phone.
     

    • The video NEEDS TO BE RECORDED IN Portrait mode with your camera held vertical.
    • Make sure your camera lens is clean. Oftentimes your lenses can smudge, reducing image quality. A microfibre cloth or soft shirt can do the job.
    • Record with your back camera on your phone. Smartphones have amazing cameras on them, but the back camera is always better in terms of image quality!
    • Check your phone’s video settings. Depending on the phone, remember to check your camera app's video quality settings and set your video to 720p and 30FPS. This is all we can upload to our live servers, and the quality-to-image-size ratio is really good! Googling this may help if you cannot find the settings.
    • Have someone record you. In order to frame the shot well, it is advised that a family member records you throughout your process.
    • You can dress up or dress casually – it is 100% up to you. However – it is best not to wear white or fabrics with shimmer or sparkle, as the reflection could create a glare on camera.
    • Make sure you are looking at the camera with your eyes open. Position your camera at eye level for the best angle.
    • Choose an area that has a plain background with minimal objects.
    • Make sure your environment is quiet, and no background noises occur when recording.
    • Lighting - Not everyone has professional lights in their house, but natural light can work well. Look for soft light that lights up the subjects of the video. Remember not to stand in front of a window or light source and have the camera face you, or you will be very dark and hard to see.
    • After you are done recording the video and it is edited, take the time to watch over the video and edit where needed.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD SASSY Candidate Service Table.
Once this table is completed, please save it in .pdf format and upload it on page 6.
Please include the nominee's full name in the saved file name (for example: YourName_table) 

Community Leadership and Service
This category recognizes youth who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in their community through sports, the arts, environmental stewardship, or other civic or cultural engagement. This award honours initiative, creativity, responsibility and the positive influence of youth service and leadership.
*must have occurred in the Community (outside of School) within the last 18 months. 

Key areas:

• Sports – led through team sports, coaching, youth fitness or inclusion in athletics
• Arts – used music, visual arts, theatre or media to unite or uplift the community
• Environment – took action on sustainability, conservation or climate education
• General Civic Engagement – organized events, supported peers, or volunteered in community projects

Candidates will be scored using the following criteria:

• Took the lead on a project, team or creative effort
• Showed independence, motivation and the ability to inspire others
• Created a measurable or visible benefit - increased participation/ awareness
• Brought new ideas, artistic expression or used creative problem solving in the project or activity
• Fostered teamwork, encouraged diverse participation or created safe spaces for others to get involved
• Demonstrated responsibility and stayed committed over time
• Provides ongoing leadership, direction, encouragement and support

Leadership and Service beyond Adversity
This category recognizes youth who have shown remarkable courage, determination and leadership while overcoming significant personal or community adversity. This award celebrates strength of character, impact and the ability to inspire others.
* must have taken place within the last 18 months or is clearly ongoing

Key areas: 

• Overcome Adversity - faced significant personal, family, social or systemic challenges
• Leadership and positive action - took initiative to lead, create, change or support others despite personal struggles
• Impact on others - made a tangible or emotional difference in the lives of others
• Character and Growth - demonstrated resilience, perseverance and a growth mindset

Candidates will be scored using the following criteria:

• Started a project, led a group, supported peers or advocated for an issue
• Contributed to a cause or built stronger community connections
• Turned adversity into a strength or an opportunity to grow and give back
• Demonstrated empathy, responsibility, courage and humility; showed personal development
• Acted as a role model and mentor to encourage, motivate or inspire others
• Provides ongoing leadership, direction, encouragement and support of others