Eight teens were awarded the Thomas J. Majhan Teen Leaders Award for 2014 by the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club at the 12th annual awards reception on March 1.

The Teen Leaders Award program, which began in 2004, honors local teens for outstanding leadership and excellence in community service during the prior year. Awards are presented in the name of the late Thomas J. Majhan, a community leader and former superior and district court judge, who passed away in 2004 just as the awards were being created.

The 2014 recipients are as follows:

Sam Brooks, 18, of Port Townsend, daughter of Dan and Kim Brooks, nominated by Kathy Stevenson, Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Stephanie Brown, 16, of Quilcene, daughter of Clarence and Marilyn Brown, nominated by Gary Stebbins, Quilcene School District.

Levi Clum, 18, of Port Townsend, son of Chris and Kristy Clum, nominated by Linda Kostenbader, East Jefferson Rotary Club.

Lucas Foster, 16, of Port Townsend, son of Robert and Kimberly Foster, nominated by Rene Olson, Port Townsend High School.

Naya Krienke, 14, of Port Townsend, daughter of Nick and Naeomi Krienke, nominated by Amy Smith, the Boiler Room.

Alex Kunz, 18, of Port Townsend, son of Michael and Cindy Kunz, nominated by Dennis Hughes, First Presbyterian Church.

Joel Mackey, 18, of Port Townsend, son of John and Joanne Mackey, nominated by Liz Quayle, Port Townsend School District OCEAN Program.

Addi Richert, 17, daughter of Larry and Julie Richert, nominated by Kathy Cavette, Port Townsend High School.

Families, nominators and awards presenters all attended the awards ceremony, where each teen received their award and a gift, as well as a donation in their name to the organization of their choice.

Nine local community leaders presented the awards: Jeff Chapman, Jefferson County assessor; Juelie Dalzell, retired Jefferson County prosecutor; Keith Harper, Jefferson County superior court judge; Phil Johnson, Jefferson County commissioner; Kathleen Kler, Jefferson County commissioner; Jill Landes, Jefferson County district court judge; Whitney Meissner, Chimacum High School principal; Dave Stanko, Jefferson County sheriff; and Rich Stewart, Chimacum School District superintendent.

The keynote speaker this year was Barbara Carr, Jefferson County Juvenile Court administrator, also a close friend of the late Majhan.

“Each year, I’m so very impressed with all the community service work being performed in our communities. 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,” said Melanie Bozak, chair and award program creator.

In addition to Bozak, the 2014 Teen Leaders Awards committee is composed of Louise Raymond and Ed and Barb Zinser, with help from Kiwanis members Mary Arroyo, Steve Bozak, Jan Carter, Mary and David Crozier, Dave Harrah and Marge Helander.

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