Columbus, OH (May 24, 2023)—The Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF), a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, recognized 88 Columbus City Schools (CCS) students through the Best All-Around Student Awards, presented Tuesday evening at Huntington Park before the Columbus Clippers game. The award celebrates students’ academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, service to community, and leadership during the 2022-2023 school year.
Since 1985, CYF has sponsored the Best All-Around Student Awards, honoring two students representing each middle and high school in the CCS district. Catherine M. Lyttle, CYF Chair and Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer of Worthington Industries, was the keynote speaker at this year’s event. The Linden-McKinley High School Marching Band also performed during the on-field ceremony.
Photos from Columbus Youth Foundation's "Best All-Around Student Awards" event at Huntington Park.
“We congratulate this year’s Best All-Around Students and celebrate their remarkable contributions to their schools, neighborhoods, and the community at large,” said Mark Lomax, II, DMA, Director, Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation. “These students are shining examples of generosity, leadership, and character.”
CYF has a long history of helping central Ohio youth. Established as a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation in 1976, CYF has awarded more than $4 million in grants to help young people attend summer camp, participate in recreational activities, and enjoy cultural enrichment opportunities.
CYF's links to sports and to youth in Columbus began upon its creation as a private foundation in 1955. A group of distinguished local businessmen created the Foundation that year to hold title both to the Columbus Jets, a professional minor-league baseball team, and the team’s Franklinton stadium. CYF returned all profits to the community through grants to organizations that served Columbus youth, ensuring strong local support for the team.
After the Columbus Jets dissolved and the stadium was sold, CYF’s Trustees decided that instead of closing the Foundation, its service to local youth should continue. The Trustees chose to join The Columbus Foundation in 1976 as the first Supporting Foundation. 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.
Members of the 2023 CYF Board of Trustees are Catherine M. Lyttle, chairman; Archie M. Griffin, vice chairman; John P. Kadlic; John Lowe; and Leslie C. Meyers-Joseph, MD, FAAP.
The Columbus Youth Foundation welcomes contributions from donors interested in supporting healthy, positive opportunities for fun through youth recreational activities.
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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.