Student Voices
Ballard student, 826 Seattle receive youth arts award from first lady
Ballard High School senior Meron Kasahun and 826 Seattle founder and Executive Director Teri Hein have been awarded the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from first lady Michelle Obama. They received the award on Nov. 2 at the East Room of the White House.
The award recognized 826 Seattle for its effectiveness in developing learning and life skills in young people by engaging them through the power of the written word. The organization will celebrate winning the award 1-3 p.m., Nov. 20 at its Greenwood office during a book publishing event.
The award is the highest recognition for community-based arts and humanities programs, such as 826 Seattle. The non-profit organization is a writing and tutoring center that helps students ages 6 through 18 improve their creative and expository writing skills.
“Having the chance to represent my peers in accepting this award from the first lady in the White House was an experience that I will never forget,” Kasahun said. “I found my community at 826 Seattle, and I attribute much of my success to the support, mentoring, homework help, and writing classes I have received there. It was amazing to have 826 recognized in such a big way, and I am honored to have represented.”
Kasahun is the daughter of a single Ethiopian immigrant mother. She began attending 826 Seattle’s after-school programs more than 7 years ago and has been a regular at the Greenwood based nonprofit ever since.
She has served as a youth mentor at 826 Seattle and is a member of its youth advisory board. She is president of the Ballard High Black Student Union and is an active member of Teens Against Tobacco. She has been an editor at her school newspaper, the Ballard Talisman.
Photo above, from left: 826 Seattle Executive Director Teri Hein and Ballard High School senior Meron Kasahun stand in the East Room of the White House Nov. 2 to accept the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award" from first lady Michelle Obama.