YMCA of the USA AND AMWAY GLOBAL salute the winners of the "Search for Teen Wellness Leaders" contest, established to recognize teens who have taken on leadership roles in promoting health and wellness in their communities. From hundreds of applications received, 44 Teen Wellness Leaders were selected. Each received a $1,000 scholarship and matching $1,000 donation to his or her local YMCA.

Y-USA and Amway Global worked in tandem to select the winning teens, discovering in the process that many already had established relationships with their local YMCA:

Samantha, 17, from San Francisco, Calif., is actively involved in FLEX, a YMCA program designed to raise teen awareness of the importance of health and fitness. She also serves on her Y’s Teen Leadership Council.

Jose, 16, from Waterbury, Conn., is a senior leader of

the Teen Leadership Club at the Waterbury YMCA, playing an integral role in organizing a teen summit with the city's mayor and training other Teen Leadership Club members.

Stephen, 14, from Clearwater, Fla., was named Volunteer of the Year at the Clearwater YMCA, in addition to serving as an aide at YMCA Camp COAST (a summer day camp for autistic children).

TJ, 16, from Nashua, N.H., is an ongoing volunteer for the Special Olympics swim team at the Merrimack YMCA, working one-on-one with kids facing physical or developmental disabilities.

Tina, 18, from Galloway, Ohio, is president of her YMCA's Leaders Club. She advocates abstinence from drugs and alcohol and promotes the “People Helping People” scholarship so teens from all economic backgrounds can afford a YMCA membership.

Richardson, 17, from Cranston, R.I., created an afterschool program at the Cranston Branch YMCA to encourage local teens to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, identify personal goals and track their weekly progress.

Steven, 16, from Memphis, Tenn., leads the “Get Moving” sessions for the Black Achievers Program at his YMCA, developing and implementing creative activities that engage and motivate teens to increase their daily physical activity.

Natanya, 16, from Milwaukee, Wis., is an active volunteer at the John C. Cudahy YMCA. She serves as a member of the Teen Safe Place Program and Halloween party organizing committee, and volunteers at monthly movie nights.

Y-USA and Amway congratulate all 44 of the Teen Wellness Leaders as well as the rest of the remarkable applicants for being positive role models to all. Visit www.inspirewellness.com to learn more about the winners and discover how young people across the country are inspiring others to live healthier lives.