Members of the Leadership Arlington Youth Program graduated Aug. 10 in Marymount University's Reinsch Library Auditorium. Photo contributed
The Leadership Arlington Youth Program’s Class of 2017, comprised of 30 youth leaders who are rising juniors and seniors in local high schools, graduated on Thursday, Aug. 10.
During the first two weeks of August, the Youth Program met at different businesses, nonprofit organizations and government departments throughout Arlington County, providing participants with the opportunity to be exposed to diverse organizations and meet with leaders from the community.
Participants visited area nonprofits to learn about the work and service each organization provides to the community. Students collectively visited 18 organizations and then discussed the missions and visions of the nonprofits in order to choose the recipient of a $1,000 grant. The students presented this grant to OAR (Offender Aid Restoration) at their graduation ceremony. Class members noted how OAR leaves a lasting impact on the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals and were moved by their work.
The Leadership Arlington Youth Program Class of 2017 graduates include Malate Alemu, Wakefield High School; Beza Assefa, H-B Woodlawn; Dalante Bell, Wakefield High School; Patrice Dour, St. John's College High School; Julia Elman, Washington-Lee High School; Alex Eng, Washington-Lee High School; Erin Foster, Bishop O'Connell High School; Jie Na Funk, Wakefield High School; Audrey Gilligan, Yorktown High School; Megan Hemstreet, Yorktown High School; Jonathan Hernandez, Wakefield High School; Julian Hinkson, Washington-Lee High School; Rachel Huang, Washington-Lee High School; Kelsey Isman, Yorktown High School; Olivia Kennett, Washington-Lee High School; Mia Lee, Yorktown High School; Kenny Lundgren, Washington-Lee High School; Tsion Mamo, Washington-Lee High School; Matthew McKnight, Washington-Lee High School; Colin Meek, Yorktown High School; Adrienne Miller, Yorktown High School; Jessica Moyer, Yorktown High School; Zach Muleta, Bishop O'Connell High School; Matt Muleta, Yorktown High School; Maya O'Brien, Wakefield High School; Quentin Powers, Yorktown High School; Cassie Rodriguez, Washington-Lee High School; Linh Smith, Yorktown High School; Cambria White, Wakefield High School; and Jake Wiersberg, Yorktown High School.