Oak Harbor High School junior Ashley Serna is the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Youth of the Year.
Other finalists included Oak Harbor freshman Gary Garstin and sophomore Joshua Garstin.
In order to be eligible, the teens had to be in good academic standing and members of the Youth Center. They provided a list of service work and had to meet the theme of “lead, succeed and inspire.”
The teens were interviewed by a panel and each gave a speech explaining why they discovered the recognition.
“It is a singular privilege to work with these kids and it has restored my faith in humanity,” said Dave Thomason, who volunteers at the Youth Center and served as keynote speaker for the event.
In March, Serna will compete for the BGCA Washington State Military Youth of the Year award in Seattle.