WYAP began hosting the Youth Recognition Breakfast in 2010 as a way to celebrate youth in the Westfield Washington Schools who have overcome adversity, demonstrated positive change, or made a positive academic turnaround. A counselor, teacher, principal, or other school staff submits the youth nominations to WYAP. A selection committee vets the nominations and chooses the recipients. Nominees can be from all grade levels. In 2024, 16 youth were celebrated at the event, ranging from first through eighth grade.

At the Youth Recognition Breakfast, WYAP also awards our annual $5,002 Christine D. Brown Memorial Scholarship to that year’s recipient. This scholarship is in honor of the 502 youth Christine Brown worked with as an EIA for WYAP before her passing in 2022. Awarding this scholarship at the Youth Recognition Breakfast event is a way to honor her work and continue her legacy in the Westfield community.