PHOENIX

19 Phoenix high-school students awarded as Outstanding Young Man, Woman

Bailey L Netsch
The Republic | azcentral.com
Sixteen Phoenix high-school students were given the Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman of the Year awards on April 29, 2017. Three were honorable mentions.

Nineteen Phoenix high-school students were recognized Friday for their achievements in and out of the classroom during the 30th Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman awards.

The award recipients included a male and female from each council district in Phoenix, and from that group is selected a citywide Young Man and Young Woman of the Year. Three students were also given honorary awards.

This year, the top recognitions went to Angela Esono of South Mountain High School and Yash Patel of Sandra Day O'Connor High School.

Esono was chosen as the citywide Young Woman of the Year for her work as a panelist on HEAAL - Help Enrich African American Lives. She is from District 8 and sees herself as a lifelong activist.

Patel was chosen as citywide Young Man of the Year for having founded Project Fresh Start to educate the community about, and raise money for, Syrian refugees. He is from District 1 and is planning a career in finance.

Award winners were chosen by city officials and members of the Phoenix Rotary 100 and Soroptimist International in Phoenix.

"We tend to look for the total package," said Phoenix Rotary 100 incoming Vice President Allister Adel. "Every one of these kids is outstanding. Every single one of these kids has academic credentials that would make anyone jealous."

Adel says they look for leaders on paper and in person. They also hope to run across applicants who have accomplished things despite difficult circumstances.

Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman Award recipients

District 1

Tequasia Harris, a Washington High School student, was awarded for her involvement with community food banks and tutoring. She is planning a career in criminology.

Yash Patel, a Sandra Day O'Connor High School student, founded Project Fresh Start to educate the community about, and raise money for, Syrian refugees. He is planning a career in finance.

District 2

Rebecca Perez, a Horizon High School student, was awarded for her involvement with the school basketball team and creation of the ACE program at PVCC. She wants to be a lawyer and practice both in the United States and Mexico.

Robert Graham, a Pinnacle High School student, was awarded for his piano skills, academic drive and willingness to give back. In the future, he sees himself as a Navy SEAL.

District 3

Moriah Irving, a North Phoenix Preparatory Academy student, was awarded for her involvement in school senate and cross-country team. She hopes to one day work in the medical field.

Brett Budde, a Thunderbird High School student, was awarded for his high GPA and involvement in seven varsity sports. His goal is to become an orthodontist.

District 4

Helena Silva-Nichols, a Camelback High School student, was awarded for her extraordinary research and volunteer work in the neuro-oncology lab at Barrow Neurological Institute. She hopes to dedicate her life to medical research.

Justin Rainge, a Camelback High School student, was awarded for his involvement in tutoring and the October 2015 Phoenix Union High School Override. He dreams of attending Stanford University and working as a software engineer.

District 5

Jennifer Lopez, a Washington High School student, was awarded for her passion for education and volunteer tutoring. She hopes to one day work in an engineering firm.

Jordan Jenkins Frazier, a Washington High School student, was awarded for his club involvement and determination to change the perception of young African-American males. He hopes to work as an actuary, analyzing financial risk.

District 6

Danielle Vermeer, a Desert Vista High School student, was awarded for her involvement in tutoring and mentoring young kids. She hopes to work in the sustainability field after attending Arizona State University.

Joshua Kaplan, a Rancho Solano Preparatory School student, was awarded for his creation of a soccer camp for children with disabilities. In the future, he sees himself as an advocate for youth with intellectual disabilities.

District 7

Christopher Joseph, a Betty H. Fairfax High School student, was awarded for his creation of a male leadership seminar to help boys grow into men. He hopes to continue mentoring young men in the future.

Joseph Olivas, a Tempe High School student, was awarded for his work with the Ronald McDonald House and academic achievements. His goal is to become a pediatrician.

District 8

Angela Esono, a South Mountain High School student, was awarded for her work as a panelist on HEAAL - Help Enrich African American Lives. She sees herself as a lifelong activist.

Carlos Yanez Navarro, from BioScience High School, was awarded the Outstanding Young Man Award for District 8 for his involvement with DACA, "dreamers," and schoolwide blood drives. He hopes to be a physician or nutritionist one day.

Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman Honorary Award recipients

Alondra Morales Sanchez, a Maryvale High School student, received an Honorary Award for her work with the homeless in her community. Her goal is to be a human-rights lawyer.

Evan Pittman, a Phoenix Country Day School student, created Lift for Heroes, a non-profit that raises money for wounded veterans. He hopes to join the military or work for the State Department.

Jessica Peebles, a Desert Vista High School student, was selected for her work with the school's marching band and participation in Special Olympics. She's planning a career in engineering.