The 2026 nominations for middle and high school students are being accepted through Sept. 8
Ainara "Ari" Gomez is motivated to excel and serve.
The 18-year-old's positive energy and drive helped her to earn Hillsborough County's 2025 Youth Excellence and Achievement Award in the Leadership Category for High School Students.
Each year, Hillsborough County recognizes the many positive contributions made by young people in the community through the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards). Nominations are being accepted now through Sept. 8, 2026. Visit HCFL.gov/YEA to learn more and nominate a middle or high school student in one of three categories: leadership, success despite difficult odds, and volunteer or community service. Anyone can nominate a student.
Ari was born in Spain and her parents are from Cuba. She graduated from Sickles High School in May 2026.
While at Sickles High, she founded the Model United Nations Club and was the secretary-general. Recognizing that public speaking was a challenge for her and many students, she created the club to create a supportive, collaborative, and cooperative network. Along with growing the membership of the club, she recruited a sponsor, promoted the club, and scheduled training.
Ari also has a passion for music. At Sickles High, she was a member of the choral program and was president of the Sickles High School Choral program. As president, she united singers across three choirs and helped develop a warm environment that helped bond the members of the choir.
She has performed at numerous events, including All-County choirs, solo and ensemble and was a member of the Tri-M music honor society. Ari, who now attends Hillsborough College, is the youngest member of the Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, an award-winning, female barbershop ensemble. In 2025, the Toast of Tampa Show Chorus won the Sweet Adeline's International Championship in Columbus, Ohio.
She's a former intern with the Community Food Pantry, and she volunteered with Bags of Hope. She volunteers as outreach coordinator with Love in Layers, a student-led nonprofit providing clothing to underserved communities, including homeless, low-income families, refugees, and veterans.
The Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards, also known as the YEA! Awards, were established in 2010 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
YEA! Awards nominations can be submitted by anyone for both middle and high school students in each of the following categories:
- Leadership - This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have demonstrated 21st Century skills, including: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in how they led others academically, in extracurricular programs, or in service to the community.
- Success Despite Difficult Odds - This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have persevered through challenges to make a positive impact on others.
- Volunteer or Community Service - This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have dedicated substantial time to serving their community.
The nomination form is available for submission online at HCFL.gov/YEA. Nominations will be reviewed by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women.
Students honored show initiative, innovation, and a commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, or other areas. The 2026 YEA! Awards will be presented by the Board of County Commissioners in October.