Athena Worley Named International Youth of the Year
The Reading resident received the global honor after completing over 1,000 hours of community service.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Youth
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Athena Worley has been named the 2026 Youth Volunteer Corps International Youth of the Year. The award was presented at the Youth Leadership Summit in New Orleans for her extensive volunteer efforts.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the impact of dedicated youth volunteerism on community safety and infrastructure. Worley's work sets a standard for civic engagement among local students.
Worley was selected from a pool of more than 9,000 participants in global programs. She logged 1,003 total service hours over seven years of participation.
The players
Athena Worley
She is a local student who has participated in youth volunteer programs since 2019.
VOiCEup Berks
This organization has operated the Reading affiliate of the Youth Volunteer Corps since 2016.
The details
Worley earned the honor after completing 400 hours for the Canstructure competition and leading an anti-human trafficking workshop for over 100 Wilson School District staff members. She has been a member of the local Youth Volunteer Corps since 2019, serving on various advisory boards.
Timeline
2016: VOiCEup Berks began operating the local affiliate.
2019: Athena Worley joined the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading.
2026: Worley was named International Youth of the Year.
Culture Shift
This achievement reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing structured youth civic engagement. It follows the model set by the Youth Volunteer Corps' global service participant model, which empowers students to lead local initiatives.
Local students interested in community service can join the Reading affiliate of the Youth Volunteer Corps. Participating can lead to opportunities for leadership training and official recognition through national and international programs.
The takeaway
Consistent volunteerism can lead to significant national recognition and professional development opportunities. Students looking to make a difference should identify local needs, such as school transportation safety or community food drives, to build their service portfolio.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Youth section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reading Eagle.
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