Youth Link announces Community Leadership Award winners

Bellevue Youth Link will honor children and teens for their contributions to the community at the 32nd annual (2022) Community Leadership Awards celebration on Wednesday, May 25, 6-8 p.m. at City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE.  

Award Category                                                     Winner                                  School
Advocacy for Cultural & Heritage Pride               Daniel Rendon                      Interlake High/Latino H.E.A.T.    
Advocacy for Education                                          Katherine Lorenzo               Highland Middle School
Advocacy for Family Support                                 Jose Bautista Morales         Tyee Middle School    
Advocacy for Inclusivity & Allyship – Group        Dolphin Friends                    Newport Heights Elementary
Advocacy for Inclusivity & Allyship – Individual  Giya Agarwal                         Odle Middle School    
Advocacy for Social Justice – Group                     Eastside Youth Coalition     Eastside Youth Coalition    
Advocacy for Social Justice – Individual               Lauren Kirkpatrick                Newport High    
Advocacy for Sports & Recreation                        Ryan Chang                            International School
Advocacy for Well Being                                         Jayden Kritsonis                    Sammamish High
Environmental Champion                                     Arushi Sinha                           Big Picture School
Excellence in Youth Arts                                        Ruby vanRosmalen               Bellevue Youth Theatre
Outstanding Creative & Innovative Thinker       Anika Krishnan                      The Overlake School
Outstanding Elementary School Student           Ajit Vasu                                  Sherwood Forest Elementary
Outstanding Middle School Student                   Yekalaivan Aiyanar                Big Picture School
Outstanding High School Student                       Afifah Kashif                           Sammamish High 
Outstanding Youth Volunteer                              Alex Cho                                  Bellevue High
Unsung Hero                                                          Brandon Baydovskiy              Bellevue High 

Youth Link Program Awards
Youth Link MVP                                                    Youth Link member               To Be Announced
Youth Link Rookie of the Year Award               Youth Link member               To Be Announced
Youth Link “Norm Maleng” Social Justice         Youth Link member               To Be Announced
Youth Link Phil Kushlan Award                          Youth Link member               To Be Announced

During the program, Youth Link will recognize all nominees and volunteers. The free event is open to winners, nominees and the general public with advance registration. Please RSVP via Eventbrite by 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 24. 

For more information, please contact Patrick Alina, Bellevue Youth Link program coordinator, at 425-452-5254 or palina@bellevuewa.gov.