Aaron Panchal, a junior at Newport High School, traveled to Turkey with his computer networking class and helped students and teachers in impoverished communities set up networking systems in their schools. Closer to home, Aaron volunteers to help teachers and administrators at Newport High to prepare for school events and mentors freshmen in the transition to high school.

Ma’ayan Shuval, a student at Interlake High School, volunteers with the Bellevue Youth Theatre, and has logged 135 hours over the last three years in fundraising efforts. Respected by her peers and adults in the theater community, Ma’ayan is a leader with the Teen Action Board, which manages concessions.

For their exemplary conduct, Aaron and Ma’ayan are winners of Bellevue Youth Link’s 2007 leadership award, announced this week. They and the winners of other Community Leadership Awards will be honored at a celebration at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, at City Hall. RSVP by May 28 with Youth Link at 425-452-2846.

Youth Link will recognize all nominees in the May 30 program as well as its own volunteers. The annual Community Leadership Awards celebration is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited to 300. The dessert reception will begin at 7 p.m.   

Bellevue Youth Link, founded in 1990, is a youth leadership program sponsored by the City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department and Bellevue Public Schools. 

Youth Link sought nominations of children and teens for their positive influence in the community. Youth Link teen members have selected winners from nearly 60 nominations for the 2007 awards. The winners are:

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