Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner at the taco buffet station, energetic music provided by DJ Eamon, and community-building activities. Activities were provided to encourage attendees to interact with each other and make new friends. Upon entering, everyone received “Find-A-Friend” bingo cards, which prompted them to find people with specific traits or experiences, such as “find a person who went camping this summer.”
Northeastern University’s Artistic Minds facilitated a collaborative art project that asked: “What makes you shine?” in gold letters. Participants wrote their answers on gold stars and placed them on the wall, creating a mural of constellations. Answers included: my family, community, my confidence, and more.
Honors Night attendees are gathered around a table, playing “Find-A-Friend” Bingo. Photo Credit: Agnieszka Rytych-Foster
The highlight of the event included an award ceremony that acknowledged the work and spirit of six PYD community members.
Entrepreneurship Award
Grant Lee, Entrepreneurship Award recipient. Photo Credit: Agnieszka Rytych-Foster
Ryan Kell, Career Readiness Program Coordinator, announced Grant Lee as the recipient of the Entrepreneurship Award.
“From the first time I met Grant in class, his enthusiasm and energy stood out to me,” Ryan remarked.
Grant, upon accepting his award, said “The PYD Job Lab made a place where students like me can practice job training with awesome instructors who helped me learn new skills… My experience at the PYD Job Lab will help me to get a job and live a successful life as an adult in the future.”
Fellowship Award
Kristin Humphrey, PYD’s Workforce Inclusion Director, announced Casey Doherty as the Fellowship Award recipient.
“After completing the program, Casey became PYD’s first Fellowship Alumni Liaison, bringing energy, creativity, and genuine care to supporting the next cohort of fellows.” Kristin said.
Casey was unable to attend as she was preparing for finals in D.C., but shared:
“My hope for the disability community is that we continue building a world where disabled people lead, where our expertise is sought out and valued, where we can exist safely and comfortably and joyfully.”
Career Mentor of the Year Award
Robin White, Career Mentor of the Year. Photo Credit: Agnieszka Rytych-Foster
The Career Mentor of the Year Award was created to honor a business partner who has been an exemplary mentor supporting young people with disabilities to explore their career interests and facilitate work-based learning experiences.
This year’s Career Mentor of the Year Awardee is Robin White, who was announced by Rachel Rubin, PYD’s Youth Services Director,
“Robin ensures every student feels welcomed, supported, and valued. She thoughtfully curates once-in-a-lifetime experiences at The Langham [Hotel], from behind-the-scenes kitchen visits to exploring the rich history of the building, providing students with unforgettable insight into the hospitality industry.”
Upon receiving her award, Robin remarked:
“By fostering work-based learning experiences, we provide pathways for young people to explore their career interests and build the skills they need to thrive.”
Leadership Award
Youth Leadership Manager, Carol Murray. Photo Credit: Agnieszka Rytych-Foster
Next, the Leadership Award was announced by Youth Leadership Manager, Carol Murray, who introduced Stefan Santau as this year’s awardee.
“Stefan leads by example. He creates space for others to share their voices, and because of his presence, his peers felt included, respected, and empowered.”
As Stefan couldn’t attend, Carol read Stefan’s speech. Stefan’s words rung throughout the room,
“I imagine a world where accessibility is natural, where our contributions are valued, and where our identities are understood as something to be proud of, not something to overcome.”
Mentor Match of the Year Award
The final award of the evening was the Mentor Match of the Year. This award recognizes a pair who have built a strong, trusting, and mutually empowering relationship.
Micah Luen, Mentoring Coordinator, introduced Keith Dixon and AK Smith-Wallace as this year’s Mentor Match of the Year:
“Watching their relationship unfold has reminded me not only of the importance of community, but of the relationships at its core, and how important it is for us to show up for each other.”
Keith and AK went onstage to accept their award; Keith said:
“PYD has given us a space where mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about partnership. It’s about creating moments where both people leave better than the way they came in. That’s rare. And it’s something I’ll carry with me long after this program.”
Honors Night attendees cheer and gather around a table. Photo Credit: Agnieszka Rytych-Foster
The awardees were met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience. The ceremony concluded, and the fun continued with an impromptu dance party, dessert, and more “Find-A-Friend” bingo, which was a huge hit!
Honors Night brought PYD’s participants together to shine a spotlight not only on the wonderful awardees, but also the entire community. After all, “Together We Shine”!
