2023 Exemplary Youth of the Year

Serving over 5,000 young people annually, there are many outstanding youth that deserve recognition. In addition to our Youth of the Year winners, we recognized 10 exemplary youth from across the state that embody the Youth Solutions values of leadership, collaboration and a solutions-focused mindset. They’ve pushed through tough times and stayed focused on their goals. We are excited to highlight them on our social media channels and ask you to share their stories: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow our Youth Solutions Twitter and Facebook pages as well!

Congratulations to the 10 youth who received Exemplary Youth of the Year:

1. Upper Peninsula - Samantha Fortunato, Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College

2. Northwest Michigan - Dakota Jewett, Networks Northwest: Cadillac Innovation High School

3. Northeast Michigan - Samantha Hoesli, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium: Crawford High School

4. West Michigan - Shadia Mufaume, Kent ISD: Beckwith Adult Ed

5. East Central Michigan - Lydia San Miguel, The Institute for Excellence in Education: Windover High School

6. East Michigan - Jillian Gembinski, GST Michigan Works!: Family Literacy Center 102

7. South Central Michigan - Elia Mandujano, Capital Area Michigan Works!: Peckham-Clinton

8. Southwest Michigan - Savanna Bates, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan

9. Southeast Michigan - Ti'Anna Pittman, Michigan Works! Southeast: Washtenaw Service Center

10. Metro Detroit - Joshua Stewart, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation: Pershing High School