Ten Jefferson County teens were honored by the Port Townsend Elks Club for their outstanding leadership and community service in 2017.

Each teen received an award in honor of the late Thomas J. Majhan, former superior and district court judge and Kiwanis Youth Services committee chair, who died just as the awards were being created in 2003.

“I’m so thrilled with each of our recipients,” stated chair and awards program creator Melanie Bozak in a press release. “Each year, it’s so impressive to hear all the community service work being performed in our communities by our local youth. And, having the nominators and community leaders there to read the nominations and present the awards provides a significant and meaningful ceremony for the teens to feel very special and honored for all the work they have done for their communities.”

Teens were nominated for their leadership in various fields and organizations.

Emma Craighead, daughter of Connie and Bill Craighead of Port Hadlock, was nominated by Linda Kostenbader and TJ Plastow for her work with East Jefferson Rotary Interact Club.

Meigan Kunz, daughter of Cindy and Mike Kunz of Port Townsend, was nominated by Nancy Naslund for her work with Flying Auk Ranch.

Caleb Lumbard, son of Serenity Lumbard of Port Townsend, was nominated by Denise Winter, artistic director of Key City Public Theatre.

Hannah Marx, daughter of Cynde and Randy Marx of Port Townsend, received two nominations, from Laura Tucker of Jefferson County Public Health, and Dana Nixo of the Jefferson County YMCA.

Kaitlyn Meek, daughter of Glenda Meek of Port Townsend, was nominated by Tanya Barnett, 4-H coordinator at Washington State University Jefferson County Extension.

Max Morningstar, son of Anna Kearson and Brian Morningstar of Port Townsend, was nominated by Austin Henry, coach of the Port Townsend High School robotics team.

Marley Music, daughter of Fawn and Freddy Music of Port Hadlock, was nominated by Linda Kostenbader and TJ Plastow of East Jefferson Rotary Interact Club.

Kaiden Parcher, son of Kelli and Tom Parcher of Port Townsend, was nominated by Shannon Burns of the Jefferson County Juvenile and Family Court Division.

Ingrid Schultz, daughter of Wenkie and Steve Schultz of Port Townsend, was nominated by Laura Tucker, Jefferson County Public Health.

Anna Tallarico, daughter of Sandra and Mark Tallarico of Port Townsend, nominated by Sandra Tallarico, First Baptist Church.

The keynote speaker for the event was Barbara Carr, Jefferson County juvenile court administrator and a longtime colleague and friend of Majhan. Nine local elected officials and community leaders were invited to read the nominations and present the awards to the teens: Pamela Adams, Port Townsend City Council member; Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman; Juelie Dalzell, retired Jefferson County prosecuting attorney; Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean; Carrie Ehrhardt, Port Townsend High School principal; Amy Howard, Port Townsend City Council member; Jefferson County Commissioner Kathleen Kler; Rick Thompson, superintendent of Chimacum School District 49; and James Walkowski, chief of East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.

In addition to Bozak, the 2017 Kiwanis Teen Leaders Awards committee consisted of Don Fristoe, Marge Helander and Anne Metcalf, with help from 12 additional Kiwanis Club members.

Teens annually selected for the award must be residents of Jefferson County between the ages of 14 and 18, and nominated by a community member for a combination of outstanding leadership and community service excellence, according to Bozak.

Requests for nominations are published in January each year.