The Board of County Commissioners created the YEA! Awards in 2010 to recognize Hillsborough County students for making a difference in their community. The award recipients show initiative, innovation, and commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, or other areas. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) presents the awards at a Board meeting each spring.
Eligibility
The online nomination process for the 2022 YEA! Awards is now closed. Check this page for details soon on the 2023 nomination process.
All students who live in Hillsborough County are eligible for the YEA! Awards, whether they attend public or private schools, or are home-schooled. The Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women reviews the nominations and selects six winners, three from high school and three from middle school, in one of three categories:
- Leadership - demonstrating positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics, or the arts
- Success Despite Difficult Odds - overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and to make a positive impact on others
- Volunteer or Community Service - allocating discretionary time to help others or complete a project that has improved our community
2022 Award Winners
The Board of County Commissioners presented the 2022 Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) to these six outstanding young people:
Success Despite Difficult Odds
- Jae'Shaun Santos, Franklin Boys Preparatory School
- Kevin Ibarias Nanez, Sumner High School
Leadership
- Brenna McGuire, Tinker Middle School
- Ashton Kitchiner, Newsome High School
Volunteer or Community Service
- Benjamin Mallin, Coleman Middle School
- Emily Moore-Shrieves, Bloomingdale High School