YES AWARD
In 2019, the Canopy Housing Foundation instituted the YES Award to recognize and celebrate the area’s youth who are engaged in improving the quality of life in the region.
Young people who are engaged in service mature into adults who serve the community. This award was established to encourage youth to address a broad spectrum of needs in an effort to build a stronger community. This program has donated $3000 to the recipient’s designated non profit since inception.
If you know a young person aged 10-18 who is actively engaged in improving our community, please nominate them for the Youth Excellence in Service Award.
2026 YES Award Nominations are now open
As part of the 2025 Canopy Housing Foundation Community Awards Celebration, the Youth Excellence in Service (YES) Award honored Alexander Riley, a junior at Ballantyne Ridge High School. The YES Award, established in 2019 as the youth counterpart to the Foundation’s Humanitarian Award, recognizes exceptional young people who demonstrate outstanding commitment to service. Supported by the William H. Barnhardt Foundation, this award celebrates youth who embody resilience, empathy, and leadership.
Alexander was recognized for his remarkable dedication to academics, volunteerism, and his pursuit of a Certified Nursing Assistant certification to serve elderly community members. In keeping with tradition, Alexander also presented the YES Mentor Pin to a mentor who has had a profound influence on his life.
Meet the 2025 YES Award winner – Alexander Riley
2025 YES Award recipient Alexander Riley with his mentor and grandfather, Carl Riley.
from left to right: 2025 Canopy President Charisma Southerland, 2025 Past President Tiffany Johannes, Treasurer Todd Long, Canopy CEO Anne Marie DeCatsye, 2025 YES Award recipient Alexander Riley, and 2025 President Elect Joan Goode.
Alexander Riley – 2025 YES Award Recipient
Alexander Riley, a junior at Ballantyne Ridge High School, is the 2025 recipient of the Youth Excellence in Service (YES) Award. Alex is an inspiring young leader whose compassion and dedication to service shine both in his school and throughout the community. While balancing a full high school course load and dual enrollment in community college, he is also working toward his Certified Nursing Assistant certification, driven by a desire to care for and serve the elderly in his community.
Known for his humility, persistence, and generosity of spirit, Alex leads by example. He maintains near-perfect attendance and impressive academic performance while volunteering his time to tutor classmates, organize class materials, and assist educators to create a positive learning environment. His nomination highlighted, “What sets Alex apart is his ability to give without having. Alex is not only deserving of the YES Award… he is the embodiment of what it represents.”
Alex was nominated by Shannon Minick, Career Development Coordinator for CMS, with overwhelming support from the Ballantyne Ridge High School faculty. We are proud to honor his unwavering commitment to service and look forward to all that he will accomplish in the years ahead.
