The Exchange Club of Springfield, Ohio held its annual Youth of the Year/A.C.E Awards banquet Tuesday March 19, 2024, at the Joseph Shouvlin Center with 25 members and guests present. The club honored Winston Hughes representing Emmanuel Christian Academy, as its 2023-24 Youth of the Year, Heather Hare, representing Shawnee High School, as First Runner-up, and Kaitlyn Fields, representing Greenon High School, as Second Runner-Up. Mr. Hughes received a $1,000 scholarship, Miss Hare a $750 scholarship, and Kaitlyn Fields a $500 scholarship, to the colleges of their choice. Miss Abigail Yarnell, representing Global Impact STEM Academy, was selected as the club’s Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Award winner, will also receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of her choice. Mr. Hughes and Miss Yarnell will be entered into the Ohio-West Virginia District Exchange Club’s Youth of the Year and A.C.E. Award contests and the opportunity for an additional $1,000 college scholarship. The district selection will be entered into national competition, and if selected as the National Exchange Club Youth of the Year or A.C.E. Award winner, receive an additional $15,000 college scholarship. The National Exchange Club organization has nearly 600 clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico.
