Lynnwood Rotary recognizes outstanding local youth during Youth Challenge Awards

The winners of the 2017 Youth Challenge Awards pose after the ceremony. (Photo courtesy the Rotary Club of Lynnwood)

The Rotary Club of Lynnwood honored exceptional local youth during its 25th Annual Youth Challenge Awards on May 18. Included among them was McKenna Sessions, a senior at Lynnwood High School, who won one of two Creativity awards, and the Alderwood Boys & Girls Keystone Club, which won the Group Award.

The Youth Challenge Awards recognize individuals and groups in grades 7-12 who have shown a strong commitment to personal excellence, leadership development and community service.

The Youth Challenge Awards is a program that honors outstanding young people who are making Snohomish County a better place to live. The program was initiated in 1990 as a means to recognize young people who have made significant contributions in the categories of community service, courage, creativity, and leadership/inspiration. The Youth Challenge Awards has recognized 1,000 local students the past 25 years.

This year’s award recipients were:

Community Service:
Alexa DeMerchant, Grade 12, Lake Stevens HS

Courage:
Michael Barbee, Grade 12, Mariner HS

Creativity: (2 awards)
Shalyn Ensz, Grade 12, Scriber Lake HS
McKenna Sessions, Grade 12, Lynnwood HS

Leadership:
Kate Neumeister, Grade 11, Kamiak HS

Inspiration:
Natnael Abraham, Grade 12, Mountlake Terrace HS

Group Award:
Alderwood Boys & Girls Keystone Club- Grades 7-12, multiple schools

Overall Award for $5,000:
Kaeleigh Daza-Smith, Grade 12, Aim HS

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