Stefen Savoy has only been at STU for three weeks but, already, the 17-year-old has made an impression.
On the third day of welcome week, Savoy received the Heather MacInnis Memorial Award for his participation in Shinerama. It was recently announced he is also the recipient of a Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.
Both awards came as a surprise to the shy, soft-spoken Harrington Hall raider.
“Part of what I really like about the human rights spectrum is volunteer work and fundraising,” said Savoy. “I have a lot of experience in those things and I really like helping others, that’s what I truly enjoy.”
The national award was established in 1982 through a grant by the Canadian government. It celebrates Fox’s life, his courage and his concern for the well being of others.
Savoy was the only recipient from New Brunswick to win along with 20 others from across the country.
The scholarship is valued at $28,000, but $7,000 is given annually to select individuals who best represent what Fox stood for.
“You have to be a well rounded person that demonstrates an interest in physical activity, nutrition and health,” said Savoy.
“During the interview, the biggest emphasis was put on humanitarianism—people who were out there helping others and who they felt mirror what Terry stood for, not just who Terry was but the values he laid out for Canada.”
The Moncton native was a student advocate in high school. As class president he organized and headed several different committees’ and hosted fundraisers both in his school and community.
Now, in university he is still involved with fundraising.
STU’s Shinerama Coordinator Katie Clow said Savoy exemplified the characteristics she and the Welcome Week committee members were looking for that day.
“He was compassionate, he was a leader, encouraging those around him to fundraise and to keep going. He seemed super enthusiastic and even asked to stay late after the day was out,” she said.
He, along with his partner Vanessa Pettersson, raised almost $500 during Shine Day on Sept. 3 to raise money and awareness for cystic fibrosis.
“It was for a great cause and she sounded like a lovely lady—the person who the award was in memory of – so how could I not help right?” said Savoy.
Savoy insists he is trying to keep a low profile and wants to shy away from the spotlight as much as possible while studying human rights and political science.
“STU is different, they open the doors for you and they invite you to get involved, that’s what I really, really like about it.”
