Last night Surrey City Council awarded Sarah Engles & Nicolas Walser the City of Surrey Employee Memorial Scholarships, an award to be given annually to a student that demonstrates both a commitment to the local community and high scholastic achievement.
“Sarah and Nicolas are very deserving of this scholarship,” said Mayor Dianne Watts. “They both plan to pursue post-secondary education and are students that embody the ideals and attitudes which many City of Surrey employees pride themselves on – motivation to serve the community, and drive to excel at the tasks before them.”
The City of Surrey Employee Memorial Scholarship was created in order to honour the memory of City of Surrey employees who have passed away. The scholarships for the two local universities: Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Simon Fraser University are awarded annually to eligible dependants of City of Surrey employees.
Engles, Walser and their proud families appeared before Council to receive their award yesterday evening.
Engles is graduating from Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School with an impressive academic record, including achieving honour roll status in each of her high school years. She will be attending SFU in the fall with the objective of achieving her Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences. Some of her outstanding contributions to the community include: volunteering as a children’s leader and serving on various fundraisers, and attending Zion Park Manor in Cloverdale to spend time with the residents.
Engles was instrumental in establishing a charity pick up at a local bakery every Sunday and distributing the food to help the working poor in Surrey. She also finds time to work at Sylvan Learning Centre, is a member of her high school band, environmental group and is a regular blood donor.
Walser is graduating from Walnut Grove Secondary School, also with excellent marks. He will be attending Kwantlen Polytechnic University where he plans on studying architectural drafting. He has been extremely active in the community as a competitive bagpipe player participating in regular parades and performances, as a member of the environmental club at his high school, as part of a youth group involved in helping at a food bank in Surrey. Walser’s life vision is to be involved in helping marginalized people in the Lower Mainland – where he hopes to help the homeless and support environmental protection and enhancement.
“These are two fine young individuals,” said Mayor Watts “It is my hope that this scholarship will enable Sarah and Nicolas to be future leaders in our community.”
For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Keurvorst
Senior Advisor
Communications and Community Relations
604-591-4192