The Youth Leadership Initiative program, launched by a partnership of Clearwater Mortgage Bankers with the Snoqualmie Valley School District, recognized its first group of honorees at a ceremony in June at Snoqualmie City Hall.

Eight students were recognized at the event—Pooja Chivakula, Mackenzie Popp, Kimber Behrends, Laura Woodward, Jacob Thompson, Makenzie Parr, Shayne Allen, and Morgan Seymour— for the various ways in which they took on leadership roles.

The Youth Leadership Initiative program recognizes students who exhibit exceptional leadership qualities in the community. Students are often recognized for their leadership in the academics or on the field of play. The Youth Leadership Initiative exists to encourage young people and to tell the stories of those who have shown their leadership by serving others in order to make the Snoqualmie Valley a better place.

The selection committee of Matt Larson (City of Snoqualmie), Caroline Loudenback (Snoqualmie Valley School Board), Nancy Whitaker (Encompass), William Shaw (Valley Record) and Brad Toft (Clearwater Mortgage Bankers) chose the honorees.

More information is available, along with the nomination form for download at www.whatsexpected.com/leadership.