Emcee: James Thornton
Our emcee for the 5th annual Youth In Service Awards was Employer Partnership Manager at Birmingham Promise and former YouthServe participant, James Thornton. His history of service and continued passion for empowering young people made him the perfect host for our 2026 event. |
Youth Presenters: C.J. Williams, Myles Kimbrough, Ryan Petties-Smith, & Kelsei Manley
As part of our commitment to strengthening youth leaders, we were honored to invite a few dedicated YouthServe participants to present this year's Youth In Service Awards. These students have shown true commitment to service and a passion for making a positive impact on their communities. |
Community Partner of the Year: East Lake Market
East Lake Market (represented at the event by Sally Allocca & Sydnee Richards) is a long-time partner of YouthServe, providing opportunities for teens to serve through their produce donation program. Each summer, YouthServe volunteers work with East Lake Market to deliver fresh produce to homebound seniors. Since 2015, more than 300 youth have contributed nearly 1,200 service hours through this partnership! |
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Innovation Award: The BrightBrick Project, Piper Boss
Helena High School student, Piper Boss, founded this nonprofit to collect and donate new and gently used Lego sets to children in the foster care system. Each set is paired with a letter of encouragement, providing foster youth with creative enrichment and a sense of personal ownership during periods of instability. Click here for the BrightBrick Project video presentation. |
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Advocacy Award: Bold, Black, & Beautiful, Eden Moody
Altamont student, Eden Moody created a 12-month affirmation journal designed to raise the self-esteem of young Black girls by providing them with representation and positive guidance. Each month focuses on themes like confidence and academics, featuring weekly affirmations and space for personal reflection to help girls understand their inherent value. Click here for the Bold, Black, & Beautiful video presentation. |
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Impact Award: Glitter for a Cause, Callie Chapman
This project centers on a series of children's books authored by Mountain Brook High School student, Callie Chapman, with all proceeds donated to the Children’s Hospital art therapy program. In addition to raising over $20,000, she has donated hundreds of books to the Jefferson County Family Court to encourage children to dream big regardless of their age. Click here for the Glitter for a Cause video presentation. Community Vote Award Winner: OWLS (Outstanding Women Leaders in STEM), Hoover High School Students
This club hosts free STEM events for girls in grades 2–6 to encourage their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Through hands-on experiments and a supportive community, they aim to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and empower young girls to see themselves as future leaders. Click here for the OWLS video presentation. |
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Finalist: Awareness Campaign for the Deaf Community, Julia Butrus, Lauren Glover, Mickenzie McGraw, & Kate Tompkins
This project aimed to spread awareness about the deaf community in Alabama through an educational workshop and lesson in beginning American Sign Language (ASL). Participants learned how to introduce themselves and use basic signs, with the goal of fostering a more welcoming and informed environment for people with invisible disabilities. Click here for the Awareness Campaign video presentation. |
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Finalist: In the Running Podcast, Mae Dapkus & Olivia Self
This podcast, hosted by Mountain Brook High School students Mae Dapkus and Olivia Self, interviews candidates for local and national office to help educate voters on policy rather than just name recognition. By providing a standardized source of information, the project aims to reach voters of all ages and has even successfully influenced listeners' voting decisions. Click here for the In the Running video presentation. |
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