
The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, presented Youth Thrive awards to 38 teen leaders across the metro area who have made an impact on their communities while demonstrating a commitment to the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and equity.
The 2017 Youth Thrive honorees strengthen the Twin Cities as volunteers, peer leaders and Y team members. Their accomplishments include facilitating community conversations around issues that affect young people, speaking to legislators at the State Capitol, providing meaningful outdoor experiences to kids as camp counselors, organizing volunteer service projects, building connections between their peers and the community, and more.
“The YMCA recognizes young people not just as leaders of tomorrow, but as inclusive, innovative and inspirational leaders of today,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the Y. “The youth we recognized this year are passionate about building community by participating in leadership programs, volunteering their time to help others, and making a difference in their Ys, schools and communities.”
2017 YMCA Youth Thrive Award Winners
Hannah McIntosh, Andover YMCA Community Center
Bebe Wayi, YMCA Beacons in Minneapolis
Arianna Favors, YMCA Beacons in Minneapolis
Sedrique Amentor, Blaisdell YMCA in Minneapolis
Kaylee Martynow, Burnsville YMCA
Samara Kroeger, YMCA Camp du Nord
Lily Pope, YMCA Camp Icaghowan in Amery, WI
Katie Anderson, YMCA Camp Ihduhapi in Loretto
Nora Lahm, YMCA Camp Menogyn in Grand Marais
Jenna Stanze, YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson, WI
Cole Polyak, YMCA Camp Warren in Ely
Isabella Sverdlin, YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Ely
Wesley Donaldson, YMCA CycleHealth
Annie Clute, Eagan YMCA
Eh Moo, St. Paul Eastside YMCA
Savannah Klein, Elk River YMCA
Samuel Adesiji, Emma B. Howe YMCA in Coon Rapids
Savannah Stuttgen, Forest Lake YMCA
Tylyn Harris, Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center in Minneapolis
Hayden Schutt, Hastings YMCA
Nathan Loppnow, Hudson YMCA
Hannah Peterson, Lino Lakes YMCA
Faith Williams, Maplewood Community Center YMCA
Abdiwahid Awad, St. Paul Midway YMCA
Tania Morales, Minneapolis Downtown YMCA
Quinn McDonagh, Mounds View Community Center
Justin Madison, New Hope YMCA
Anna Monorski, Ridgedale YMCA in Minnetonka
Misgana Mamo, Shoreview YMCA
Summer Stieglbauer, Southdale YMCA in Edina
Roberto Riganti, St. Paul Downtown YMCA
Kirsten Alfaro, University YMCA at the University of Minnesota
Bella Mendoza, West St. Paul YMCA
Lindsey Tyren, White Bear Area YMCA
Nitali Arora, Woodbury YMCA
Sabrina Ali, Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government
Anthony Boucher, Jr., YMCA Youth Intervention Services