The 25th Sammy Awards will be held at the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center in the Payne Concert Hall on April 10.
Sam Houston State University hosts this annual event in cooperation with the Department of Student Activities.
As part of its respective tradition, the university recognizes students and organizations that have exhibited stellar community involvement in their endeavors to making SHSU and Huntsville a better place. There are four award categories that include seven individual college awards, 17 individual and organizational awards, the Sam Houston Cane Award, and the distribution of four prestigious Sammy Awards.
Senior Criminal Justice Major Jaila Moore is one of this year’s emcees, and she believes the event does more than simply offer the community a night of fun and entertainment.
“Seeing that any university faculty member or student can nominate the individuals and organizations encourages integrity,” Moore said. “It also reminds students that they do not have to come from wealth or be popular to be important or influential.”
“It… reminds students that they do not have to come from wealth or be popular to be important or influential.”
The Sammys’ most fundamental purpose is to award those for their zealous efforts in giving back to the community. Witnessing these leaders receive acknowledgment for their deeds succeeds in doing nothing but inspiring Bearkats to do the same, if not more.
“Being involved in the community is what grows us as people,” Moore said. “The university’s motto is ‘The Measure of A Life Is its Service,’ so growing the community of Sam Houston and building up others around us is one very important thing that has built the character of award recipients.”
Moore confirmed that this year’s ceremony will be quite special.
“You can expect a beautiful and entertaining production,” Moore said. “We’ve been working since January to make sure the show is lovely. However, these nominees have been working toward their nominations since they’ve started their journey here at Sam. We have some long nomination lists this year, and that’s all because our Bearkats are amazing and pushing themselves to be even better.”