On May 29th six KPU students were awarded Surrey's Top 25 Under 25 by the Surrey Board of Trade at their second annual awards event. The event celebrates the incredible initiatives of Surrey's youth under the age of 25, and winners are chosen based upon an analysis of their business or community achievement, leadership ability, community involvement, professional achievements and uniqueness of their business or community projects.
"We are so proud of the six KPU students who were awarded Surrey's Top 25 Under 25," says John McKendry, president and vice chancellor of KPU. "The dedication and entrepreneurial ambition shown by these young winners have helped transform our communities, and we are humbled by any part our university has played in helping them achieve such success."
The six winners from KPU are:
Andrea Danyluk, a third year business student sitting on KPU's President's Ambassadorial Team. She has taken a leadership role in the initiative to raise $12,000 that will establish an endowment fund for student scholarships.
Brenden Graham is devoted to helping youths at risk of gang involvement through the Surrey Wrap Project. In addition to his work as a facilitator and mentor in the program, Brenden also volunteers as an assistant senior boys AAA basketball coach.
Kassandra Linklater holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from KPU and has been an active participant in programs such as Junior Team Canada, KPU's President's Ambassadorial Team, and the G8 and G20 Summits.
Kelsey Filion, both coaches and volunteers for youth soccer camps with the Surrey Breakers Association. Kelsey is also a director of KPU's Alumni Association.
Kunal Sharma is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration, and used his interest in the stock market to create the KPU Financial Group. Sharma is also in the process of setting up his first company that endeavours to export Canada's natural resources to rapidly developing markets across the globe.
Steven Vu saw great success when he served as president for KPU's AIESEC chapter, a student-run not-for-profit organization that serves as a platform for personal and professional development through exchange and leadership opportunities.
All recipients must be 25 years of age or younger prior to May 29, 2012; be working on/worked on a business or community project in Surrey (including students) and/or; be working in the Surrey business community and/or; be contributing/have recently contributed to a business or community related project in Surrey.
KPU has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
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