Columbus, OH (April 30, 2026)—The Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF), a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, recognized 94 Columbus City Schools (CCS) students through the Best All-Around Student Awards, presented Wednesday evening at Huntington Park before the Columbus Clippers game. The award celebrates students’ academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, service to community, and leadership during the 2025-2026 school year.
Photos by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.
Since 1985, CYF has sponsored the Best All-Around Student Awards, honoring two students representing each middle and high school in the CCS district. John Kadlic, CYF Board Member, was the keynote speaker at this year’s event. The East High School Marching Band also performed during the on-field ceremony.
“Each of these students represents talent, hard work, and a commitment to others. We’re proud to celebrate both their academic success and their leadership in their schools and in our community,” said Dr. Mark Lomax, II, Director, Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation.
CYF has a long history of helping central Ohio youth. In 1955, a group of local businessmen created CYF as a private foundation to hold the title to the Columbus Jets—a professional minor-league baseball team—and the team’s stadium in Franklinton. CYF returned all profits to the community through grants to organizations that served Columbus’ youth.
Photos by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.
After the Columbus Jets dissolved and the stadium was sold, CYF’s Trustees decided to continue the foundation’s mission, and it became The Columbus Foundation’s first Supporting Foundation in 1976. Today, CYF continues to make a difference in the lives of youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by providing healthy, positive opportunities to learn life lessons through recreation and sports.
Since becoming a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, CYF has awarded more than $5 million in grants to help young people attend summer camps and participate in recreational programs.
Members of the 2026 CYF Board of Trustees are John Lowe, Chair; Archie M. Griffin, Vice Chair; John P. Kadlic; Cathy Lyttle; and Dr. Leslie C. Meyers-Joseph.
About the Columbus Youth Foundation
The Columbus Youth Foundation makes a difference in the lives of youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods of Columbus by providing healthy, positive opportunities to learn life lessons through recreation and sports.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.