News

Kiwanis Club honors outstanding youth

The Kiwanis Club’s Youth of the Year honorees were, from left, Elijah Marlow, Abigail Garnett, Ryleigh Ramsey, Marisa Torres-Arona and Arden Folmar; and, in front, Andraya Young. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 1, 2026

The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville honored students from across Henderson County at its annual Youth of the Year program in April, recognizing young leaders from K-Kids and Key Clubs for their service and community involvement.

Adraya Young of the Boys & Girls Club received the Youth of the Year Award. A fourth grader in her first year of K-Kids, she has shown outstanding commitment and, according to organizers, bravely overcame her fears to perform at the MLK Unity Breakfast.

Other honorees included Arden Folmer of Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School, a three-year K-Kids member serving as her club’s media coordinator; Marisa Torres-Arrona, Henderson County Early College, Key Club vice president, who will graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree; Elijah Marlowe, Hendersonville High School Key Club president, who worked to secure a new faculty adviser after the club lost its sponsor; Hendersonville High Keywanette Ryleigh Ramsey, who averages nine service hours a month; Karla Marroquin Menendez, a North Henderson High School freshman chosen by her peers as Youth of the Year; and Abigail Garnett, West Henderson High School Key Club president, whose club logged more than 600 service hours this year.

Founded in 1921, the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club raises more than $35,000 annually and contributes more than 18,000 volunteer hours to support local organizations, scholarships and youth programs. The club sponsors K-Kids, Builders Clubs, Key Clubs and an Aktion Club for adults with disabilities.