The Rotary Club of Lynnwood honored exceptional local youth during its 25th Annual Youth Challenge Awards on May 18. Included among them was Natnael Abraham a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School, who won the Inspiration 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