Girls Inc. of Wayne County has recognized one girl and four women for their contributions to the community.
This year’s signature event on Nov. 17 at Forest Hills Country Club, themed “Fuel Her Fire,” quickly sold out.
Awards were given in the categories of Strong, Smart, Bold and Inspiring, along with Girl of the Year.
Ashtyn Brown, who fought cancer during her childhood in Richmond and now works as a radiologic technologist at Riley Children’s Health, was this year’s keynote speaker.
Strong
Paige Crosset, who has strengthened our community through service and dedication to excellence and has helped build a solid foundation on which girls can stand taller and reach higher.
Smart
Katie Reising, a Richmond educator whose intelligence, creativity and personal integrity have created space for girls’ inquisitive minds to develop and write their futures with grace and fervor.
Bold
Alison Zajdel, whose vibrant spirit, bold ideas and compassionate presence encourages girls to dream bigger and optimistically create new opportunities through leadership, integrity and purposeful action.
Inspiring
Susanna Tanner, who emulates the mission of being Strong, Smart and Bold through many aspects of her life. She owns a photography studio.
Girl of the Year
Sixth grader Jah’Kyah Sloan. Staff say she works hard every day to become a strong, smart and bold girl.
A version of this article appeared in the November 29 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.