There are some evenings that feel like a celebration, and there are others that feel like a reminder of why the work matters.
Our 2026 Reaching Out Now Leadership Celebration Gala, Our Path Forward, was both.
It was an evening filled with gratitude, incredible community leaders, inspiring stories, and—most importantly—our students. We gathered to recognize people who are making a difference in our community while celebrating the young people who are beginning to discover what is possible for their own futures.
As we look back on the evening, we are reminded that our path forward isn’t simply about what Reaching Out Now will do next. It is about the students we have walked alongside, the community that has opened doors for them, and the drive that continues to believe in what young people can become.
From a Park Pavilion to a Leadership Celebration
Our Gala has come a long way.
When schools closed in 2020 and our community was navigating an uncertain new reality, we found new ways to continue serving students. One of those early efforts was our very first gala—a Luau-themed Girl of Destiny Awards celebration held under a park pavilion. What began as a creative response to an unprecedented time has grown over the past six years into our Leadership Celebration Gala: an annual opportunity to recognize exceptional students and community leaders while investing in the next generation.
That growth is a reflection of something bigger, too.
None of this happens because of one organization alone. It happens because people choose to show up—volunteers, educators, businesses, families, mentors, community leaders, sponsors, and donors who believe that when young people are given opportunities, relationships, and encouragement, they can see possibilities for themselves that they may not have seen before.
Celebrating Our Students: Watching Leadership Take Its Next Step
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the evening was celebrating the students who have come through our leadership programming.
Each student enters the program with their own interests, strengths, experiences, and dreams. Over time, we have the privilege of watching those young people grow in confidence, discover their voices, serve their communities, and begin making decisions about where they want their lives to go.
This year, we were especially proud to celebrate several students as they move into their next chapters.
- Iris is pursuing a cosmetology internship
- Marie is headed to George Mason University
- And Aniyah and Adisyn will both continue their education at Shenandoah University.
These destinations are as different as the girls themselves, but they share something important: another step toward a future that is uniquely their own.
We are proud of where they are going—but even more proud of who they are becoming.
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
Celebrating these students also gave us an opportunity to look ahead at how we can continue creating leadership opportunities for students coming behind them.
Our YES Leadership Program has always been rooted in helping young people discover their potential, develop their voice, and recognize that leadership begins with character, responsibility, and a willingness to make a difference.
Now, that work is growing.
As part of our path forward, Reaching Out Now is expanding from one signature youth leadership program into two connected leadership pathways, creating a continuous pipeline from middle school through high school and toward post-secondary education and career opportunities.
YES Leadership Program
The YES (Youth Empowered for Success) Leadership Program will continue serving students in grades 6–7, focusing on the important foundation-building years of middle school.
Through YES, students will explore four core areas:
- Character Development — building confidence, integrity, responsibility, and positive decision-making
- Community Leadership — understanding their ability to make a difference in their schools and communities
- Academic Literacy — developing the skills, habits, and mindset needed to become successful learners
- Social Engagement — strengthening communication, teamwork, relationships, and meaningful connections with peers and adults
The goal is not simply to give students leadership experiences. It is to help them build a foundation that prepares them to take on greater opportunities as they move through high school.
Shenandoah Leadership Scholars
For students entering the next stage of that journey, we are excited to introduce the Shenandoah Leadership Scholars Program, serving students in grades 8–12.
The Scholars program is designed as a more advanced leadership and college-and-career readiness experience. Eligible students in grades 8–10 will develop leadership skills, strengthen character and academic resilience, explore careers, and begin building the networks and experiences that can help shape their futures.
Our vision is for every Scholar to graduate with more than a diploma. We want students to leave the program with a clear post-secondary plan, strong leadership and professional skills, an expanding professional network, greater academic confidence, exposure to careers and mentors, and access to scholarship and financial support opportunities.
That is what Our Path Forward means to us.
We aren’t simply celebrating the leaders our students are becoming today. We are building the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that can help prepare them for what comes next.
Leadership Takes a Community
Developing young leaders is not something one organization can do alone.
It takes parents who believe in their children. Educators who recognize their potential. Mentors willing to invest their time. Community leaders willing to open doors. Businesses and organizations willing to create opportunities and experiences.
That is why we view our leadership programs as a partnership.
The Gala was a beautiful reflection of that belief.
The people in the room represented so many different parts of our community, but they shared a common commitment: helping create a stronger future for the young people we serve.
Honoring Those Who Lead By Example
A major part of the evening was recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, advocacy, and dedication make our community stronger.
Congratulations to our 2026 Honorees
- First Responder Award — Lieutenant Marc Ramey
Warren County Sheriff’s Department - Entrepreneur of the Year — Dr. Matthew Rosario
ClearHorizon Forensic and Counseling Group - Service Above Self Award — Nichole Johns
Warren County Department of Social Services - Beacon in Education Award — Vince Gregg
Principal, Blue Ridge Technical Center - HOPE in Education Award — Danelle Sperling
Principal, WCPS Special Services - HOPE in Community Advocacy Award — Philip Vaught
Keller Williams Realty and Warren County Educational Endowment - Emerging Leadership Award — Joey Mitchell
- Lillian Sloane Legacy Award — Mrs. Mary Anne Biggs
Each honoree represents leadership in a different form. Some lead through their professions. Some through service. Some through advocacy, education, mentorship, or simply showing up for others year after year.
Together, their stories remind us that leadership isn’t defined by a title. It is defined by the difference we make in the lives of others.
An Evening Made Possible by Community
We are deeply grateful to the businesses and individuals who helped make this year’s Gala possible.
A special thank you goes to our 2026 Gala Sponsors:
- DAH Cuisines for the amazing dinner
- The George Washington Hotel for hosting us in their beautiful venue
- The Ivy Chest Floral and Decor for creating the beautiful table settings
- Memories Engraving Plus for providing our awards
- ReWed Bridal for providing dresses and formalwear for our team and students
- Summit Events for providing sound services and the photo booth
- Toy Box Studios for capturing photos of the beautiful evening
Their generosity helped us create an evening worthy of celebrating our students, honorees, and community.
But their support goes far beyond one evening.
Every sponsorship, donation, volunteer hour, and partnership helps create the programs and opportunities that allow us to continue serving, empowering, and developing young people throughout our community.
Help Us Move Our Path Forward
As we celebrated everything that has brought us to this moment, we also looked ahead.
This year, our community has the opportunity to help us take another important step through a $7,500 matching campaign.
Every gift helps us continue creating opportunities for students—opportunities to discover their strengths, build relationships, develop leadership skills, explore careers, and begin planning for life beyond high school.
And with the $7,500 matching fund, your support can go even further.
Help us complete our $7,500 matching campaign and invest in the next generation of leaders.
The Best Is Still Ahead
Six years ago, we gathered under a park pavilion because we were determined to keep finding ways to celebrate and encourage young people.
Today, we are celebrating students heading to college and career opportunities. We are expanding our leadership programming. We are building a connected pathway from middle school into high school and beyond. And we are surrounded by a community of people who continue to believe that young people deserve to be seen, supported, challenged, and encouraged.
That is our path forward.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has walked it with us so far—and excited for everyone who will join us for what comes next.
Thank you for believing in our students. Thank you for investing in their futures. And thank you for helping us build what comes next.
The best is still ahead.