Marshall Youth Leadership Award recipient, Naomi Axelrod and Marshall Public Leadership Award recipient, Eduardo Torres

The 2025 Marshall Youth Leadership Awards Finalists are:

• Shalaka Deshpande, Camas High School
• Raquel Nelson, Henrietta Lacks Health & Bioscience High School
• Kyla Palmer, Henrietta Lacks Health & Bioscience High School
• Beckham Stephenson, Discovery High School
• Ashlye Triebs, Columbia River High School

Marshall Youth Leadership Award Finalists

The 2025 Marshall Public Leadership Awards Finalists are:

• Billy Henry, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
• Paige Persico, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington
• Kyle Peterson, Couve Collective
• Aliah Waterman, Innovative Services NW
• Damien Wheeler, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington

Marshall Public Leadership Award Finalists

About Our Award Recipients

The 2025 Marshall Youth Leadership Award recipient is Naomi Axelrod of Columbia River High School. Naomi’s commitment to serving the greater good is demonstrated through her volunteer work with the American Red Cross. She has advertised and organized blood drives, raised money for hurricane and wildfire relief, and encouraged her peers to get involved, which earned her the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award in 2023. Her teacher, Jeni McAnally, said, “…it is evident from Naomi’s actions and relationships with peers and faculty that she cares deeply about our world. She is a strong advocate for people in need, and a galvanizing force in our community to build teams to address local and world problems.”

Naomi will attend Cornell University in the fall to double-major in China Asia-Pacific Studies and Applied Mathematics, and will simultaneously utilize her Chinese language and math skills in her job working with the Department of Defense to help protect the United States against foreign threats.

The 2025 Marshall Public Leadership Award recipient is Eduardo Torres. Eduardo is a champion for community service. He is the Vice President of the Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), co-owner of Betancourt Torres & Associates, and co-founder of Vamos Vancouver. He is committed to creating spaces where everyone, regardless of culture or identity, can connect, learn from each other, and grow. He is a youth mentor who strives to create meaningful opportunities for all, ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered.  Eduardo believes there is strength in diversity and together we can build a thriving community for everyone.

In his application for the award, Eduardo wrote: “I’ve learned that sharing knowledge and supporting others creates a ripple effect, empowering more people to lead and make a difference.”

The Trust is grateful to program sponsors Davidson & Associates Insurance, Johnson Bixby, Dr. Roger & Katie Jarvis, the Klinge/Meyer Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, Molecular Testing Labs, the Umpqua Bank Foundation, and Waste Connections of Washington, Inc. Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in fall, 2025.

More About the Marshall Leadership Awards

These awards celebrate leadership excellence in Clark County, recognizing outstanding high school seniors and adults under age 35. The Historic Trust is honored to continue this annual tradition that began in 1989.

General George C. Marshall’s leadership legacy has shaped and inspired generations of leaders in Clark County since his time as commander of the Vancouver Barracks from 1936 to 1938. The Marshall Leadership Awards honor and uplift emerging local leaders who embody General Marshall’s values of integrity, candor, courage, and preparedness in their commitment to serving the greater good.

Marshall Award recipients receive stipends for higher education or professional development and participate in events with The Historic Trust and the City of Vancouver throughout the year.

The Marshall Public Leadership Award is granted to adult leaders up through age 35. The Marshall Youth Leadership Award is granted to student leaders who are seniors in high school.

Public (Adult) Award Nomination Qualifications:
– 35 years of age or younger
– Clark County resident (not required to reside in the City of Vancouver)
– Demonstrates leadership ability and a commitment to serving a greater good

Please note, military service is not a requirement for this award.

Public Award recipient will receive:
– $3,500 award for continuing education or professional development of awardee’s choice
– Opportunities to develop professional relationships with community leaders
– Public visibility for the award recipient’s employer or nominating organization

Youth Award Nomination Qualifications:
– High school senior
– Clark County resident (not required to reside in the City of Vancouver)
– Demonstrates leadership ability and a commitment to serving a greater good
– Serves as a role model, motivating others to become involved

Please note, there is no minimum GPA requirement as it is not a factor in the evaluation process.

Youth Award recipient will receive:
– $4,000 Aléna K. Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
– Opportunities to develop professional relationships with community leaders
– Public visibility for the award recipient and their nominating school or organization

Five youth finalists will receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by the Klinge/Meyer Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.

After nominations close, all eligible nominees will be invited to submit an application. Six Public Awards finalists and six Youth Awards finalists will be invited to participate in an interview process.

The Historic Trust welcomes sponsorship support from businesses and individuals who want to contribute to the success of Clark County’s young leaders. Please contact Carol Ross at 360.992.1804 for more information.

Looking for inspiration? Take two minutes to hear from our 2024 Marshall Youth Leadership Award recipient, Sophia Wade.