Arabian Horse Association youth members are anything but average. The Youth of the Year award honors one outstanding youth member annually. Criteria for this prestigious award is based on his or her academic and community achievements and contributions to the Arabian horse industry, AHA and his or her community.
This year, one candidate distinguished herself, with her passion for the Arabian horse breed, to bring people in the industry together, and above all, her global view and passion for helping others. AHA is proud to announce Miss Morgan "Danika" Overstreet, from Kent, Wash. as the honored winner of this year's 'Youth of the Year' award. Compassion, humility, and motivation are the foundation of this young woman's approach to life. Through her high school career, she has taken on numerous volunteer and service positions. She has a desire for serving and has been a very active member of her school's Key Club. She served as a Microsoft Student Ambassador, teaching coding twice a week to elementary school kids. Beyond this, Danika has been involved at her school as the Vice President of her Key Club, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Girls Honors Club. Her community is very important to her and she tries to show that by supporting small businesses and local activities. Not only is she a community volunteer, but she is competitive in academics as well. She has been recognized for her commitment and passion of the French language three years in a row. She has received numerous awards through her Key Club and the Microsoft in Education Award of Excellence. Beyond these awards, her greatest honor was seeing a smile on the face of those she served or shared her passions with. Moreover, our Youth of the Year has and is an important part of the Arabian Horse Youth Association (AHYA). She served as the Region 5 Youth Director, and was elected as the AHYA Secretary, in 2016-2017. During her years as the Region 5 Youth Director and the AHYA Secretary she has created new activities and fundraising opportunities in her region as well as at the National level. She has many new and creative ideas to help people feel included and ways to have fun. Then again, it is not just about the fundraising for her. She also has been an advocate along the way. Even in places where she is not surrounded by the Arabian horse industry she tries to educate people about the beauty and versatility of our breed. Her efforts within the Arabian horse community has led her to strive to be a positive influence on AHYA and to be a role model for those who aspire to become further involved in the Arabian horse community. She believes that the Arabian horse youth community can and will grow - that youth are the stepping stones to a bright future. Her passion, pursuit of excellence, personality, and support of the Arabian horse are just some of the attributes that we, as Arabian Horse Association members want to represent us as our Youth of the Year. We would like to present her with the Youth of the Year perpetual trophy as well as a $1,000 scholarship from the Arabian Horse Youth Association. Morgan "Danika" Overstreet 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 2017 'Youth of the Year'. AHA would also like to congratulate, Miss Elizabeth Elken from Region 5 as the first runner-up for 'Youth of the Year' and earning a $500 scholarship sponsored by All Things Equine and Miss London Collins from Region 7, as the second runner-up. Congrats to all! -- via AHA |