4 students had to work like firefighters to earn $2,500 scholarships in Surrey<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This year Surrey Fire Fighters\u2019 Charitable Society awarded four $2,500 scholarships, totaling $10,000, to \u201coutstanding participants who demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, teamwork, community involvement, and volunteerism.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winning students for 2026 are Max Rowley (\u00c9cole Salish Secondary), Taylor Engbrecht (Fleetwood Park), Manleen Dhaliwal (Enver Creek) and Matthew Blagdon (Semiahmoo).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis program is about creating opportunities,\u201d said Dylan Van Rooyen, Surrey Fire Fighters\u2019 Charitable Society. \u201cWhether 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
New this year, Academy students could earn high school credits through Surrey Schools District\u2019s Work Experience Program.<\/p>\n
Students were also required to do 20 hours of volunteer service in the community, to reflect \u201cthe culture of community service that has long been a cornerstone of the Surrey Fire Service and the Surrey Fire Fighters\u2019 Charitable <\/a>Society<\/a>,\u201d Van Rooyen said.<\/p>\n