Sisu Spark Award

Sisu’ is an unusual word and not often heard here in northeast Georgia. When the board of directors at Challenged Child and Friends approved the action to rebrand the 30 years-old center in 2016, they knew the project would challenge them as they worked to capture the essence of the work, spirit, and mission of the school with just a single word. The school’s mission is to serve children through innovative educational, therapeutic, nursing, and family support services in an inclusive environment.

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.”

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 November 1, 2019

The Sisu Spark Award Committee will finalize the process to name the winning candidate at Sisu’s Festival of Trees on December 6, 2019 at the Ramsey Conference Center at Lanier Tech.

We invite you to visit Sisu to tour our school and experience the amazing mission we serve, in person.