4 students had to work like firefighters to earn $2,500 scholarships in Surrey

4 students had to work like firefighters to earn $2,500 scholarships in Surrey

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026

A second annual Surrey Fire Fighters Youth Academy resulted in $2,500 scholarships for four Surrey high school students including two in Fleetwood, one in Clayton, another in South Surrey.

Surrey Fire Service, in partnership with Surrey Schools, hosts the multi-day academy to give 32 students hands-on experience in firefighting training with skill stations, team-building exercises and more.

This year Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society awarded four $2,500 scholarships, totaling $10,000, to “outstanding participants who demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, teamwork, community involvement, and volunteerism.”

The winning students for 2026 are Max Rowley (École Salish Secondary), Taylor Engbrecht (Fleetwood Park), Manleen Dhaliwal (Enver Creek) and Matthew Blagdon (Semiahmoo).

The scholarships help students pursuing career-related training and certifications including first-aid, emergency medical responder programs, Class 3 driver training, fire service education and others that support future careers in emergency services.

“This program is about creating opportunities,” said Dylan Van Rooyen, Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society. “Whether participants pursue a career in the fire service or choose another path, the leadership, teamwork, volunteerism, and life experiences gained through the Academy will serve them well for years to come.”

New this year, Academy students could earn high school credits through Surrey Schools District’s Work Experience Program.

Students were also required to do 20 hours of volunteer service in the community, to reflect “the culture of community service that has long been a cornerstone of the Surrey Fire Service and the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society,” Van Rooyen said.

The firefighters’ registered charitable organization raises funds at events including Ignite a Dream gala, a new Blazing Gourmet dining experience, the re-branded Barnfire Jam country music concert, Battle of the Brews beer festival at Surrey Civic Plaza on Aug. 15, and more.

The annual tournament, sold-out at Guildford Golf & Country Club on June 16, raised $100,000 in net proceeds for a total of $1.2 million over the past 15 years, funding health care initiatives and charitable programs in Surrey and beyond.