EMpact One Foundation Announces First Honorees of Revamped YES! Awards Program

The EMpact One Foundation celebrated four exceptional young people Thursday evening, October 8, during the first presentation of its newly revamped YES! (Youth Empowered to Serve) Awards program, held at Bryant Family Pharmacy in Bryant.

The October 2026 honorees — Addison Warner, Alyssa Hern, Trey Little, and Cobi “CJ” Miller Jr. — are the first members of the YES! Awards Class of 2026–2027.

The YES! Awards recognize young people age 18 and younger who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, perseverance, service, personal growth, and a commitment to positively impacting the lives of others.

“These are the stories we need to be telling,” said Bekka Wilkerson, Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation. “We hear so much about what’s wrong with the world, but here are four young people who are already doing something to make it better. They’re serving their communities, standing up for others, leading by example, and proving that you don’t have to wait until you’re an adult to make a difference.”

Meet the October 2026 YES! Awards Honorees

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Addison Warner — A Heart for Service

For Addison Warner, community service is more than a requirement. It’s a way of life.

From feeding individuals experiencing homelessness and collecting supplies for domestic violence survivors to supporting children in foster care through Project Zero and volunteering with the Little Rock Zoo, Addison consistently seeks opportunities to help others.

Having far exceeded her required volunteer hours, Addison demonstrates that meaningful service isn’t measured simply by time spent volunteering, but by the compassion and commitment behind it.

 

Alyssa Hern — Making Inclusion a Movement

A junior at Benton High School, Alyssa Hern is proving that even the simplest ideas can create meaningful change.

Alyssa founded the Say “Hey” Movement to encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion among young people. Through the initiative, she challenges children to look beyond differences and make an effort to connect with others.

She also created a coloring book featuring children of different appearances and abilities participating in sports and designed an accessible sweatshirt for young people undergoing chemotherapy or hospital treatment, earning recognition for her creativity through 4-H.

Her efforts demonstrate how one young person’s ideas can inspire a more welcoming and compassionate community.

Trey Little — Leading by Example

An eighth-grade student at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Trey Little demonstrates that leadership doesn’t always require being the loudest person in the room.

Through his involvement in baseball at Legends MVP, Trey encourages younger athletes, supports his teammates, and makes an intentional effort to include others.

Known for his kindness, humility, sportsmanship, and work ethic, Trey is a reminder that character is measured not only by individual accomplishments but by how we treat the people around us.

 

Cobi “CJ” Miller Jr. — Resilience, Leadership, and Service

An eighth-grade student at Watson Chapel Junior High School, Cobi “CJ” Miller Jr. has already dedicated more than 500 hours to community service through organizations including Bluff City Lions, his school’s Beta Club, and TOPPS.

CJ has also demonstrated remarkable resilience in navigating challenges related to vitiligo and bullying, using his experiences to encourage others and advocate for kindness and acceptance.

His dedication to service, leadership, and perseverance exemplifies the spirit of the YES! Awards.

CJ was unable to attend Thursday’s presentation, and the Foundation is coordinating a separate opportunity to recognize his accomplishments.

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A New Chapter for the YES! Awards

The revamped YES! Awards program recognizes up to 10 outstanding young people throughout its October–September program year, with quarterly presentations celebrating recipients and their accomplishments.

Each quarterly honoree receives a framed certificate, a $50 gift card, and public recognition. At the conclusion of the program year, two recipients from the class will be selected to receive $500 scholarships.

The program is made possible through the generosity of Bryant Family Pharmacy, Presenting Sponsor, and Arkansas Medical Staffing, Awards Sponsor.

Bryant Family Pharmacy also hosts the quarterly recognition ceremonies, providing an opportunity for honorees and their families to celebrate these achievements together.

“We want these young people to know that their efforts matter and that their community sees them,” Wilkerson said. “And we hope their stories inspire other kids to realize that they have something valuable to contribute, too.”

 

Nominations Are Open

The EMpact One Foundation encourages parents, teachers, coaches, community leaders, and others to nominate deserving young people age 18 and younger for future YES! Awards recognition.

Nominees may be recognized for leadership, community service, perseverance, integrity, personal growth, or the positive influence they have on others.

To learn more about the program or submit a nomination, visit www.empactone.org/yes-awards.

About The EMpact One Foundation

The EMpact One Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the way youth impact the world. Through programs including Tuition Assistance, the Mobile Sports Locker, and the YES! Awards, the Foundation works to remove barriers to youth participation, encourage personal growth, and empower young people to make a positive difference in their communities.

For more information, visit www.empactone.org.