Recent Campbell Collegiate graduate Sung Park has been named the third-ever recipient of the IBAS Young Community Leader Bursary, presented in partnership with Red River Mutual.

This prestigious award was established in 2020 to recognize one outgoing grade 12 student in the province who exemplifies outstanding dedication to making their community a better place. In commemoration of IBAS’s 70th anniversary, Park has received a $7,000 cash contribution to put towards the advancement of her post-secondary education.

An immigrant to Regina from South Korea at the age of five, Park founded the Stargivers Initiative in 2020 — a not-for-profit organization created to support the homeless community through COVID-19 by providing essential safety kits, which included items like face masks and hand sanitizer. Since then, the project has expanded its mandate, and has raised and donated more than $15,000 in funds and in-kind contributions.

“We are tremendously excited to be honouring such an inspiring young citizen, who embodies the very spirit of community leadership that has become synonymous with IBAS members and the insurance broker profession,” says IBAS President & CEO Derek Lothian. “Not only has Ms. Park gone above and beyond to give back to those in need, she has achieved a high level of academic success and remains a role model for her younger peers.”

In addition to her philanthropic endeavours, Park served four years on her school’s student leadership council, including terms as secretary and president. She was also selected to be the student representative on the local school community council and, in 2021, was appointed to the Government of Saskatchewan’s Youth Council, becoming the first individual from Regina Public Schools to hold a seat.

In her spare time, Park plays the violin, volunteers to provide Korean language and cultural lessons, and is an assistant coach at a Regina cheerleading gym.

“As a mutual insurance company owned by its policyholders, our defining purpose is to be a positive force in the community and the lives of our customers,” says Brian Esau, president and CEO of Red River Mutual. “This bursary is an opportunity to celebrate a young leader who shares and embodies that very spirit. Ms. Park is extremely deserving of this recognition, and we are very proud to able to partner with IBAS once again to deliver this valuable program.”

For more information about the IBAS Community Leadership Award, please contact community@ibas.ca.