The Nancy Copper Sisu Spark Award
Meet Last Year’s Recipients:
Deann Sams Addisyn Bales
Meet the 2018 Recipients:
Like any trait, ‘sisu’ is the complex product of genetic, psychological, biological, and social factors. Finland may have the initial monopoly on sisu as a brand, but it is a universal capacity and the potential for it exists within all individuals.
In December 2018, Sisu awarded the Inaugural Sisu Spark Award to two candidates, both, the committee decided, were equally worthy of the award: Sybil Laursen and John Grimsley. After battling cancer, Sybil rallied her sisu spirit to go back to school and earn her master’s degree in special education, described with “grace, dignity, and perseverance.” John Grimsley is a baseball player who is a winner on and off the field, described with “determination, optimism, and infectious spirit.”
In 2019, Sisu was proud to honor former board member Nancy Copper’s sisu through her cancer trial by renaming the award, “The Nancy Copper Sisu Spark Award.”
In December 2019, Sisu awarded the 2nd Annual Nancy Copper Sisu Spark Award to two candidates, both of whom, the committee decided, were equally worthy of the award: Addi Bales and DeeAnn Sams. Despite her childhood being filled with surgeries and waiting rooms, Addi rallied her sisu spirit to continue to live life to its fullest, described with “resilience, joy, and Addistrong.” DeeAnn Sams is a hard working mom and wife, and kept an incredible, optimistic spirit through her family’s tribulations, described with “hardworking, honest, and grit.”
Do you know someone who has grit and an amazing inner determination? Have you witnessed a child overcome cancer treatment? Do you know someone who completed a college degree in their later years? Any community member of any age is eligible to become the Sisu Spark Award Winner!The application process is limited to:
- Four questions that highlight how and why that individual has demonstrated Sisu
- One recommendation letter to accompany the application
- Applications due by October 30, 2020
The Sisu Spark Award Committee will finalize the process to name the winning candidate at Sisu’s virtual Seasons of Sisu fundraiser on November 13, 2020.
We invite you to visit Sisu to tour our school and experience the amazing mission we serve, in person.
