Our Teen Leaders recently attended this year’s Fall Rally, a cherished annual YMCA gathering that brings together youth from YMCA programs across the region to learn, connect, and grow. The Fall Rally was filled with workshops, team-building activities, and opportunities for young people to step outside their comfort zones and strengthen their voices. Throughout the event, our teens demonstrated the Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility that define the Y’s approach to leadership development. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to lift one another up were on full display, reminding all of us of the power young leaders have to shape brighter, stronger communities.
We are especially excited to celebrate two standout moments from the day. Liam, one of our first-year participants, was honored with the Emerging Leader Award. This recognition is given to a young person who shows exceptional promise, a commitment to learning, and a genuine desire to serve others. Liam embraced every challenge, supported his fellow teens, and carried himself with a spirit of kindness and determination that made a lasting impression.
We are equally proud of Ryan, who received the Core Champion Award—an honor reserved for a teen who consistently embodies the YMCA’s core values. Ryan’s encouragement of others, steady leadership, and generous heart make him a role model within our Teen Leaders program and beyond. His dedication reflects the best of what our youth can contribute to the world around them.
As shared by our Director of Camp and Teen Services, Shannon Sullivan, both Liam and Ryan demonstrate what it means to grow as leaders with purpose. Their achievements speak not only to their hard work, but also to the supportive community that surrounds them at the Y. We are grateful for their contributions, inspired by their growth, and excited to see all they will continue to accomplish.
Shannon Casey