Community Volunteers Recognized for Service to Issaquah Highlands

Three community volunteers earned awards for their hard work and dedication to Issaquah Highlands during the 42nd Annual Community Awards, hosted by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, at the end of May 2023.

Congratulations to Ryan Aby (recipient of the Youth Leadership Award), David Ngai (recipient of the Community Builder Award), and Ethan Hunter (recipient of the Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Year Award)!

Ryan Aby

2023 Issaquah Highlands Youth Leadership Award

The Issaquah Highlands Youth Leadership Award is presented to a student on the Highlands Youth Advisory Board (HY) who goes above and beyond to lead peers in community building efforts.

In its first year, this award was created to recognize the outstanding young people that contribute to fostering a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity and belonging—especially within our youth community.

Grand Ridge Drive resident Ryan Aby is finishing up his sophomore year at Issaquah High School. He has served on the HY Board for the past four years, and he was recently re-elected as co-president for the second year. He is kind, attentive, compassionate and empathetic. The board, and ultimately our community, is stronger because of him.

Above all, Ryan shows up for the community. Not only will you see him volunteering at most events, but he often takes on a leadership role as well. Last year, he spearheaded the Service Committee within the HY Board to provide more opportunities to volunteer within Issaquah Highlands. Currently, he is helping to plan the Indian Independence Day celebration for our annual Global Grub and Groove series.

“Ryan is a great example of the impact our youth can have with passion and dedication to make a difference,” Highlands Council Executive Director Lindsey Pinkston said. “Ryan works as a leader and mentor to make all youth feel included and valued. It is my honor to work with Ryan on the HY Board.”

David Ngai

2023 Issaquah Highlands Community Builder Award

The Issaquah Highlands Community Builder Award recognizes a resident or community partner who exemplifies the meaning of fostering a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, stewardship and well-being.

For the past 12 years, David Ngai has made a significant impact on the community through his service to all three of Issaquah Highlands’ governance organizations. As the only person to have served on all three boards, he has contributed his tremendous leadership and extensive knowledge to the community and has become an integral driver for cohesion among the Issaquah Highlands organizations. His unique understanding of the complex structure and budgets of our organizations has afforded him valuable insights and a unique perspective into community life.

Next month, David completes six years of service as treasurer of the Highlands Council Board of Trustees, the maximum amount of time a trustee is able to serve consecutively.

In his tenure as a trustee for Highlands Council, David has used his vast experience within Issaquah Highlands governance to help progress community building efforts, increase programming, launch a consistent community brand and advocate for the balance of community needs and expenses.

“David is an invaluable resource to our community. While I will miss his direct contributions to the Highlands Council board, I know he will continue to share his passion for Issaquah Highlands as a driving force for our continued efforts to build a strong, inclusive and caring community,” Highlands Council Executive Director Lindsey Pinkston said.

Ethan Hunter

2022 Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Year

We are honored to present our 2022 Volunteer of the Year award to Magnolia Park resident Ethan Hunter. Out of the 15 Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Month awardees in 2022, Ethan is only the second youth selected.

Ethan has spent the last six years on the Highlands Youth Advisory Board, serving the community through various events, projects and initiatives. He has a huge heart for the community and deeply understands the desire for teens to have a sense of belonging.

After a pause during the pandemic, Ethan has been pivotal in bringing live programming for teens back to Issaquah Highlands. Always the first to jump in when help is needed, he also took on a valuable leadership role at our Global Grub & Groove events last summer, working on logistics and helping to organize other youth volunteers.

Those who have worked and volunteered beside Ethan describe him as knowledgeable, dedicated, kind, humble, helpful, patient and hard working.

“In my time working with Ethan, I can say that he embodies what it means to be a servant leader—humbly and consistently building and supporting his community through leadership by example,” said Jonah Foss, former HY Board president.