Emma Sidhu, an 11-year-old student at White Rock Elementary School, is making waves in her community as an Ambassador for the Surrey Food Bank. With a passion for helping others, she has raised an impressive $21,107.59 for the Food Bank. Emma is proof that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact, and her journey is one filled with kindness, determination, and leadership.
Facing Challenges as a Young Leader
As a young woman in a leadership role, Emma has faced challenges, especially when her ideas don’t align with those of others. Sometimes, people disagree with her, or others feel they should be in her leadership position. However, Emma navigates these challenges with maturity beyond her years. She listens to others’ ideas, combines them with her own, and finds a middle ground that satisfies everyone. This ability to collaborate rather than argue is one of her greatest strengths. Additionally, when others have wanted to take over her leadership role, Emma has shown her inclusive nature by offering to share responsibilities and compromise on leadership duties, creating a collaborative and supportive environment for all.
Empowering Other Young Leaders
Emma encourages young women to discover their passions and follow their hearts. She believes that finding something you truly care about, and relying on family, friends, and community leaders, is key to becoming a leader or entrepreneur. Emma herself started fundraising for the Surrey Food Bank by asking for canned goods but has since grown her efforts to include cash donations, auctions, and using social media to get others involved. Her journey has shown her that it’s okay not to be good at everything and that asking for help is an important part of leadership. Emma’s commitment to empowering others, especially her peers, is evident in her actions—she consistently supports and encourages those around her to reach for their goals.
Balancing School and Personal Life
Emma understands the importance of balance between school, extracurricular activities, and personal life. She is committed to her studies but also recognizes that her passions, like jiu-jitsu, tennis, horseback riding, and her Mandarin class, are vital to her well-being. She strives to balance her responsibilities at school with her personal interests, showing that leadership also means taking care of oneself.
Through her dedication, compassion, and leadership, Emma Sidhu continues to inspire her community, proving that you are never too young to make a difference.


