LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Future leaders across Allen County were recognized as Youth of the Year by the Lima Exchange Club.
The club honored 12 high school seniors from area schools during its annual luncheon. Each student submitted an essay about the impact young people make in their communities in an ever-changing world. All 12 seniors received $300 scholarships. Delphos St. John's High School senior Alaina Martin received an additional $500 after her essay was judged the best. Her essay focused on the importance of giving back — a lesson she said she learned from her father, who died last year.
“Giving back to others right now. It's become one of my top priorities after my dad's passing, because he truly was the person who would do anything for anyone, regardless of if he knew him or not. So, it's really important to me to give back to my community, regardless of if I know who they are, if I anonymously, whatever. It's just so important to me, and just especially around this time,” says Alaina Martin, Delphos St. Johns, 2026 Youth of the Year.
Club leaders said the luncheon reflects their ongoing commitment to supporting young people throughout Allen County.
“But we're happy to honor them for the great work that they've done. Many of them are involved in many, many different extracurricular activities. Their academics are strong. They have a bright future ahead of them, and they know what they want to do, and it's just a pleasure for our club to be able to help support them in a small way financially,” says Mike Mullen, the Lima Exchange Club.
Martin plans to use her scholarship to study nursing at The Ohio State University. Her essay will advance to the Exchange Club’s district competition for a chance to earn additional scholarship funds.
The following students were nominated by their school districts:
- Allen East — Levi Club
- Apollo — Savannah Crouch
- Bath — Haiden Williamson
- Bluffton — Liliana Liberato
- Delphos Jefferson — Sheldyn Fetter
- Delphos St. John’s — Alaina Martin
- Lima Central Catholic — Alon’Nah Bagley
- Lima Senior — Eliot Spallinger
- Lima Temple Christian — Russell Powell
- Perry — Leah Miller
- Shawnee — Maykayla Caris
- Spencerville — Leah Elling
(Elida did not submit a student for Youth of the Year.)
