Title
40th Annual Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year Program - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Community Services and Education Subcommittee with an update on the 40th Annual Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader (OPYL) of the Year Award Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
For 40 years, the Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year Award has recognized high school students (grades 9-12) who demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity and make meaningful contributions to their communities. On May 1, the Youth and Education Office announced the 2026 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leaders at a luncheon held at the Phoenix Country Club. The event was sponsored by Phoenix Rotary 100 and Anytown Leadership Program. This year’s winners represented 13 high schools and 5 school districts.
Applicants are required to submit a personal statement addressing their community involvement and impact, commitment to excellence and future goals. They must also provide a letter of recommendation from someone who has made a meaningful difference in their lives. The top applicants are interviewed by a panel of representatives from each sponsoring organization to select the overall Council District winners.
Two high school students from each of the eight City Council districts are selected as district winners. Each district winner receives a $1,000 scholarship. From these district winners, two overall citywide winners are chosen, each receiving an additional $2,000 scholarship. All winners are recognized in City publicity materials and have opportunities to participate in citywide programs and special appearances to promote youth issues.
The first 2026 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader is Valeria Venzor, who helped establish Loma Linda Elementary School’s first student advisory council and represented her peers in the Creighton District’s Kids Congress. There, she spoke to the governing board about policies supporting families. Her service includes student government, community cleanups, supporting her school’s awareness club, and volunteering at food distribution sites and her church. Despite periods of housing instability and caring for her siblings, she has maintained a 4.26 Grade Point Average (GPA). Inspired by her teacher, Ms. King, she learned that leadership is rooted in perseverance and impact. Valeria hopes to become an immigration lawyer to support families navigating complex systems.
The second 2026 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader is Timothy Stanly from Council District 6. Timothy dedicated 13 years to soccer, building resilience and leadership that earned him Student Athlete of the Year out of 3,000 players and All-State varsity honors. After a chronic injury ended his playing career, he shifted his focus to sports medicine and became Arizona’s first qualifier and later a national finalist in the American Academic Competition Institute (AACI) National Sports Medicine Competition. He founded his school’s Sports Medicine Club and Arizona’s first National Honor Society of Sports Medicine chapter, raising $3,000 to provide injury-prevention kits for 600 underserved youth. He also created the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Collective, now a global resource used by more than 2,000 students in six countries. A dedicated community volunteer and Phoenix Police Cadet, Timothy aims to become a physician researcher in sports medicine and cardiology focused on advancing health equity.
Below are the students selected from each Phoenix City Council district and awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Individual photos and profiles of the students are also available at phoenix.gov/education.
Council District 1
Amanda Hoglund leads with purpose, creating initiatives that educate, protect and empower Arizona families and students.
Maanvik Poddar strengthens his community by leading efforts that promote safety, learning and well-being for Phoenix youth and families.
Council District 2
Aavi Shah makes a meaningful impact through steady service, humble leadership and the belief that small acts can help a community grow.
Anay Pruthy demonstrates that listening, honoring dignity and ensuring no one faces hardship alone are essential to building a stronger community.
Madeline Sage discovered the power of youth leadership when she helped raise more than $13,000 to grant a Make-A-Wish dream, showing how creativity and compassion create real change.
Council District 3
Arturo Macias shaped his commitment to pursue law through service to Phoenix families, advocacy for immigrant youth and dedication to justice in honor of his father.
Elizabeth Young learned through supporting immigrant families and leading national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) initiatives that leadership begins with understanding others and creating pathways where every student can thrive.
Council District 4
Adam Shamoun is motivated by fairness and sustainability as he grows a book-drive nonprofit, develops tools to reduce waste and works toward a more just future from Phoenix to the Navajo Nation.
Council District 5
Divine Ibeabuchi is driven by her experience as a first-generation student and her compassion developed through medical training to become an OB/GYN who provides families with dignity and care.
Trang Tran learned through coaching and supporting her under-resourced team that leadership means showing up for others and helping young people believe in themselves.
Council District 6
Tara Ghafouri has grown into a leader who uses storytelling and advocacy to bridge divides and create spaces where every student feels proud of who they are.
Council District 7
Madeline Stinnett strives to create welcoming spaces where every child feels seen, supported and inspired to grow.
Mia Medina is determined to become a crime-scene investigator who brings closure to families and honors her parents’ sacrifices.
Council District 8
Arianna Gortarez aims to become a journalist who uplifts resilient communities in Phoenix and beyond.
Hailey Montalvo Leon hopes to become a forensic toxicologist who uncovers truth with compassion and serves Phoenix families with dignity.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Youth and Education Office.