Rotary North Okanagan High School Athletic Awards

Youth in Rotary

This event, organized by three local Rotary Clubs (Kalamalka, Silver Star and Vernon), pays tribute to secondary school athletes. “Rotary supports youth, and developing the next generation of leaders is important so we can all make the world a better place. What better way than to recognize both athletic and academic excellence, and the coaches who inspire these students to do their best,” says organizer Silver Star Rotarian Keith Johnston, who initiated the first Awards event in 2014.

The event not only recognizes top athletes in area schools, but also raises funds for school athletic programs. “We directed our funds to pay athletic fees for students who could not otherwise participate in sports. This funding makes a big difference,” says Vernon Secondary School coach, Sean Smith.

The event attracts between 250 and 300 athletes, coaches, parents and Rotarians. Rotarians and sponsors presented 27 awards in 2019.