The YMCA Youth Character Awards are an opportunity to recognize teens in our community.
The YMCA of Greater Louisville opens nominations to recognize students in our region based on their demonstration of the YMCA's core values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY as observed through their actions and service. Nominations are submitted from many sources including schools, parents, churches, and service organizations.
Each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship award.
Learn about the 2025 Youth Character Award Winners and join us in congratulating them.
Cesar Garcia
Butler Traditional High School
Cesar Garcia is a senior whose kindness shows up as action. On campus, Cesar pours energy into KYA, KUNA, National Honor Society, BETA club, yearbook, and YALL. In the community, you’ll find Cesar organizing book drives, helping at events, and mentoring younger students. After losing a father, Cesar stepped up at home, and that sense of responsibility now shines in everything from academics (a 4.0 GPA with significant dual-credit coursework) to service that makes programs stronger. Cesar’s leadership is warm, thoughtful, and inclusive. Peers trust Cesar because everyone is treated with the same respect—custodians, classmates, and community leaders alike. That authenticity carried Cesar from first-time attendee to elected Secretary General for the 2026 KUNA Conference, earning the confidence of more than a thousand students. Whether it’s finishing a task others avoided or encouraging a new volunteer to try something brave, Cesar leads with integrity and heart—and leaves every room a little better.
Chloe Groemling
duPont Manual High School
Chloe Groemling is a senior at duPont Manual High School. Ask Chloe what fills her cup, and you’ll hear “service.” Chloe has spent years with the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association—logging service hours, fundraising, traveling on service trips with Y-Corps—and even serving on a board of directors. Chloe’s heart for literacy turned into action: a book drive to boost early reading and guest-reading with little ones. From animal care to food security to elder care, Chloe jumps in with cheerful focus. Chloe leads with warmth and accountability. Chloe leads with warmth and high standards. She notices people—offering a kind word, advocating for quiet students, and keeping confidences in officer roles. As a three-year YClub officer, Chloe helps with applications, confidential details, and a hundred moving pieces—and handles them all with integrity. Peers have trusted Chloe as club officer, lieutenant governor, governor, soccer captain, and VP of Executive Council. When responsibility calls, Chloe runs toward it, asks good questions, and gets it done—with kindness every step of the way.
Kate Jarboe
Assumption High School
Kate Jarboe, a junior at Assumption High School, finds excellence and empathy travel together. She helped grow “Give a Day for Hunger” into a statewide effort, mobilizing thousands of volunteers. As a Youth Advocate for Active Heroes, Kate has raised over $12,000 and coordinated 550+ hours of service to support veterans and families. A first female Eagle Scout and founding Senior Patrol Leader in her troop, Kate trains younger scouts and staff leadership courses with grace and good humor. Kate is also the classmate who shows up early to tutor, shares study guides freely, and cheers others on. A 35 ACT and A+ coursework sit alongside campus ministry, patient-safety volunteering at Baptist Health, and community projects that care for everyone from new students to unhoused neighbors. When an illness sidelined a peer at a statewide conference, Kate quietly finished both sets of assignments so the publication wouldn’t miss the deadline. That’s Kate: prepared, kind, and steady—someone who builds community by lifting others first.
Peggy Langdon
Central High School
Peggy Langdon, a junior at Central High School, is a youth leader with Y-NOW Mentoring, a 10-month program serving youth ages 11–15 who have experienced the incarceration and/or substance use struggles of a parent. She helps plan and facilitate an intensive calendar—retreats, 18 cohort events, logistics, set-up and tear-down—then shows up in the moments that matter most: listening well, noticing needs, and creating spaces where young people feel safe and seen. Behind the scenes and face-to-face, Peggy brings calm energy and follow-through. Peggy’s superpower is presence. Peggy listens closely, honors each story, and makes sure teens feel respected, not labeled. If plans shift, Peggy adapts; if someone needs time, Peggy gives it. That steady reliability has led peers to choose Peggy for additional leadership roles beyond school. Just as important, Peggy encourages accountability with kindness—cheering on small wins and reminding youth of the strength they already have. In every room, Peggy quietly builds trust, and with it, hope.
Ashlyn Lockett
Central High School
Ashlyn Lockett, a sophomore at Central High School, has believed that small acts add up since first grade. Ashlyn still lights up at the chance to help. For Youth In Action, she's collecting coats, blankets, and books; raising funds so more kids can get to summer camp; and returning to hear campers’ stories and ask what else might help. Ashlyn brings literacy to life—curating school book boxes, leading library read-ins during Black History Month, and handing a child a first “keep-forever” story. What makes Ashlyn special is a gentle, dependable way of leading. Organizations trust Ashlyn with donations because every dollar is accounted for. Families and friends trust Ashlyn because every promise is kept. When a crisis hit home, Ashlyn quietly took on adult responsibilities until things were steady again. As a Youth In Action officer, Ashlyn organizes, welcomes, and inspires without needing the spotlight. From speaking up about equity to welcoming new readers to the table, Ashlyn proves that responsibility and kindness aren’t opposites—they are the engine of lasting change.
Madison Peebles
Northside Christian Academy
Madison Peebles, a senior at Northside Christian Academy, has been a dependable bright spot with the YMCA Black Achievers program for five years. Serving as the Teen Senate President, she demonstrates near-perfect attendance, has a ready smile, and a “How can I help?” attitude. Madison launched a peer tutoring and mentorship program that gives younger students a boost in both schoolwork and confidence. She also advocates for voter registration, and volunteers for service across the city, all while keeping honor-roll grades and a job. Madison’s leadership is grounded in care and integrity. Students feel seen with Madison—listened to, encouraged, and invited into the work. In elected roles, Madison communicates clearly, keeps commitments, and brings others along. Respect shows up in inclusive meetings; where she balances priorities and displays consistent effort. Madison lives the Achievers creed of daily excellence with a gentle strength that makes everyone better.
Ananya Polepalli
duPont Manual High School
Ananya Polepalli, a senior at duPont Manual High School, turns compassion into action across education, health, and community life. Ananya mentors middle schoolers through Educational Justice and Adelante—meeting weekly to study, set goals, and build confidence (often in two languages). On the Norton Teen Board, Ananya raises funds and works events that support children’s hospitals, making sure guests feel welcomed and the behind-the-scenes details click into place. Ananya is a gatherer of people. On National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Teen Council, Ananya helps create approachable mental-health education—right down to writing a skit that made hard topics easier to discuss. She is the respectful teammate who learns new skills when the community calls—editing music for gymnastics routines, planning summer camps, and creating safe spaces where younger kids can thrive. When she sees inequity, she doesn’t look away; she organizes, recruits, and follows through. Whether starting a new club or documenting memories for classmates, Ananya brings people together—and leaves them stronger and more connected.
Claire Pyles
Assumption High School
Claire Pyles is a junior at Assumption High School. Walk into a lobby or Kids’ Club and you might see Claire greeting families by name. She splits time between welcoming members, volunteering with organizations that support people with disabilities, and pouring creativity into theater—now as a student choreographer who coaches peers and designs dances. Twenty-one productions in, Claire still brings fresh joy to every rehearsal. Claire leads with loyalty, honesty, and heart. Managing severe food allergies has taught Claire to advocate clearly and extend grace to others—skills that show up in class, on stage, and in service. A 4.5 GPA didn’t come by accident; Claire asks for help when needed and puts in the work. When commitments grew too crowded, Claire made the tough, thoughtful decision to step back from a beloved program so other responsibilities would get the attention they deserve. Class officer, campus guide, honor societies, study-group organizer—Claire is the friend you can count on and the leader who makes space for everyone to shine.
Nolan Snyder
Oldham County High School
Nolan Snyder, a senior at Oldham County High School, balances football, volleyball, and a 3.95 weighted GPA. Nolan also serves with Beta Club, Hope Church, Royal Rangers, Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship, and more. If there’s a need, chances are good that Nolan is already on it. From stocking and repairing community food pantries to hands-on mission work in Kentucky and Indiana, Nolan gives hundreds of hours each year with a smile and a can-do spirit. Nolan is a leader who shows up early, stays late, and lifts others higher. As District Scout for Royal Rangers—and heading toward a national role—Nolan represents youth across multiple states with composure and purpose. He’s the one who will take the tough job, learn the new skill, and stay until it’s done. Passing the demanding FCF Wilderness level says a lot about Nolan’s grit; the way Nolan treats people says even more. Coaches, pastors, mentors, and civic leaders have noticed what friends already know: Nolan is humble, honest, and brave, the steady presence you want on your team.
Owen Wells
South Oldham High School
Owen Wells is a senior at South Oldham High School. He is the kind of student leader who makes a school feel smaller and kinder. Between speech and debate, Beta Club, track and field, and two part-time jobs—one with a law firm, Owen still finds time for what matters most: people. With 170+ hours of peer tutoring in chemistry, Owen doesn’t just help with homework—Owen builds confidence. Service projects with the Be Like Griff Foundation and the Oldham County Youth Football League show that same heart for neighbors of every age. What stands out most is how Owen leads. In a Shakespeare seminar, Owen raised a hand and simply said, “We don’t understand—can you help?” That honesty lifted the whole group. When a classmate who tends to be quiet needed celebrating, Owen worked to design “the perfect award” so she’d feel seen. During a film project, he filled every needed role—memorizing lines, changing costumes, rearranging schedules—because the group’s success came first. Respectful, steady, and kind, Owen creates the kind of culture everyone wants to be part of.