2021 Youth of the Year Event Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the virtual Youth of the Year Celebration!

On Saturday, February 27, our community came together to hear from and honor eight outstanding Club teens. These young people shared powerful stories about their Club experiences and their big plans for the future.

Youth of the Year is a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate young leaders around our organization who excel in the areas of academic excellence, healthy lifestyles, and good character & citizenship.

A big thank you to our 2020 Wallingford Youth of the Year, Liya, and our 2020 King County Youth of the Year, Miracle, for being our presenters. Thank you to our judges who volunteered their time and talent to help choose this year’s winners!

Watch the Program

Meet all Eight Candidates

Congrats, Ella! | King County Youth of the Year

Ella has been a Ballard Boys & Girls Club member for 12 years. She credits the Club with helping her find her confidence, build important relationships with peers and mentors, and discover some of her greatest passions. Ella is a Keystone Club leader and dedicated athlete, and she maintains an impressive 4.0 GPA. After she graduates next year, Ella plans to attend the University of Washington to become an engineer.

Ella will go on to compete in the Washington State Youth of the Year program, with opportunities to participate in regional and national events. Good luck, Ella!

Congrats, Sunnryse! | Quincy Robertson Service & Leadership Award Winner

Sunnryse is a member of the Joel E. Smilow Rainier Vista Club, where she has spent more than a decade. “They have really taught me that it takes a village to raise a child,” said Sunnryse. She was honored Saturday for her extraordinary service to her Club and community. In the past year, she has completed over 75 volunteer hours, and she is a devoted mentor and advocate for other youth. Sunnryse is currently attending Green River College, where she is studying air traffic control.

Congrats, AiYana! | Character & Citizenship Award Winner

AiYana attends the EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center in Federal Way, where she serves as Torch Club President and a volunteer tutor to younger Club members. According to AiYana, the EX3 Teen Center is “part of [her] DNA”, helping her discover new opportunities and learn who she is as an individual. After high school, AiYana plans to study pre-law at Washington State University.

Congrats, Ashley! | Healthy Lifestyles Award Winner

Ashley is a 9-year member of the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club. She is the current vice president of her Keystone Club, and she has logged over 300 hours as a counselor in training, helping to lead Club activities and supporting youth and staff. An exemplary soccer player, Ashley has been recruited to play at the United States Naval Academy, where she will study dentistry.

Congrats, Prarthana! | Academic Success Award Winner

Prarthana attends the Sammamish Teen Center and is a founding member of the Sammamish Torch Club. She is deeply committed to her education, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while taking Honors classes and participating in DECA. Prarthana is also a leader in encouraging other youth to find joy in learning. Thanks in part to her experiences at the Club, Prarthana plans to study adolescent psychology at the University of Washington.