#AHYALeadsTheWay
You are part of the future. How can you IMPACT the Arabian horse industry for the better? What change would you like to SEE...? in the future?
Each of you have the ability to participate and be a leader in this industry. Your actions have the power to make a lasting impact.
Tag @arabianhorseyouth #AHYALeadsTheWay in your social media posts for the chance to be featured! We will be sharing more info about each challenge month by month and include some ideas on how #AHYALeadsTheWay.
2023 AHYA Convention - OKC July TBD and Virtual
Each year AHYA members get together to gain leadership skills, learn what AHYA has to offer, meet other youth from across the country and vote on your new executive leaders.
- In Person
- pick up your exhibitor t-shirt at YNL
- meet other youth from around the country
- participate in some fun activities
- hear from your AHYA board members
- Voting
- Elections will be available online this year!
- Please know how to login to the AHA website to participate and cast your vote for the next AHYA officer team.
- All active youth members are eligible to vote
- Click on the vote now button to access voting
- Voting will be available until July 12th at noon CST
2022 AHA Youth of the Year: Grace Smith, Region 5
At the 2022 Annual AHA Membership Convention Awards Banquet it was announced that Orting, Washington youth Grace Smith is the recipient of the 2022 AHA Youth of the Year award. Sophia receives the Youth of the Year perpetual trophy as well as a $5,000 scholarship from the Arabian Horse Foundation.
Compassion, humility, and motivation are the foundation of this young woman’s approach to life. She has served as an officer on her High School Associated Student Body Executive Board, National Honors Society and Future Business Leaders of America Chapter. Beyond this she has done numerous community service projects.
Moreover, our Youth of the Year has and is an important part of the Arabian Horse Youth Association. She was our AHYA President and is serving her second term. During her term she has championed the Are U Okay program. This program is dedicated to making meaningful connections with others and starting the important conversations about mental health that are needed in our community. The AHYA Board has now adopted this and has been hosting wear yellow days at local, regional and national shows to show support for the program and for suicide awareness. She brought this idea to AYHA because it is important to me that we not only share the love of the Arabian horse through diverse competitions and shows, but also that we take care of each other when someone is struggling and it’s needed the most!
Grace Smith is a leader among her peers, serving her breed and others with a selfless attitude and the heart of a champion. AHA is proud to call her our 2022 ‘Youth of the Year’.
AHA would also like to congratulate, Ms Ally Hubbard from Region 7 as the first runner-up for ‘Youth of the Year’ and earning a $1000 scholarship from the Arabian Horse Youth Association and Ms Marin McKee from Region 5 as the second runner-up. Congrats to all!
Past Youth of the Year Winners:
2022 Youth of the Year - Grace Smith
2021 Youth of the Year - Sophia Huffman
2020 Youth of the Year - Caroline Elik
2019 Youth of the Year - Nina Barretts
2018 Youth of the Year - Ashley Lounsberry
2017 Youth of the Year - Morgan "Danika" Overstreet
2016 Youth of the Year - Flora ElmColone
2015 Youth of the Year - Sydney Young
2014 Youth of the Year - Jacklyn Abernathy
2013 Youth of the Year - Kathryn "Kate" Johnson
AHYA Board member Grace Smith has been championing the Are U Okay campaign for Mental Health Awareness. How can we as an Association be more carring about our fellow members and remember to check-in on them to see how they are doing.
