Sullivan Heights Dental first became involved with the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Surrey through the experience of three of our patients. Motivated by their story, Dr. Himmat Bajwa became a community sponsor of their regiment.

This year a scholarship was established. On June 1st Dr. Bajwa was invited to present the first Sullivan Heights Dental scholarship for the 3300 British Columbia Regiment (BCR). This annual scholarship will be awarded to the most deserving Cadet as chosen by Major Jim Barrett of the Cadets.

“The first recipient is Sergeant Major Rusho Amin. I was honoured to be presenting the award in person, and invited Rusho into the office to visit and learn more about him,” notes Dr. Bajwa. “He was very humble, and we chatted about his cadets career as well as his future plans.”

We learned that Rusho has been involved with the Army Cadets for five years. Despite initially not liking his first year with the Cadets – he found it hard to adjust to the screaming and yelling from the sergeants – he persevered, and started to enjoy the experience in year two.

Next year is his final year in the Cadet program (at age 19). Looking back at his time there so far, he says the program has had a huge impact on his personal development and career by teaching him important life skills. It has taught him responsibility, leadership, time management, independence, dealing with emergency situations, and staying calm under pressure.

Quiet and introverted by nature, Rusho says the Army Cadets have helped facilitate his natural leadership ability. He also feels that the Cadets teach assertiveness and help individuals build self-confidence. Now he sees that his family members look up to him, and his friends are inspired by his commitment to the program.

This summer will be spent in Ottawa training other cadets across the country. In the fall, he’ll be starting UBC Engineering with plans to become a software engineer.

Rusho was very appreciative to receive the Sullivan Heights Dental scholarship, along with the efforts of local businesses to support the Army Cadets and their mission. He hopes that the scholarship will help spread public awareness about the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, causing more people to take notice of this valuable community youth program.