On May 27, 28 high school students celebrated their completion of the 2009 Advancing Leadership Youth (ALY) program at evening ceremony and reception at the Federal Way Community Center. The ALY 2009 graduates are: Brittnee Bali, Prinka Bedi, Darrel Belvin, Kerrene Buford, Karey Cahan, Harry Choi, Keegan Claxton, Keely Craig, Dominique Davis, Eric Denman, Ben Draeger, Riley Germanis, Joshua Harris, Paige Hollinger-Lant, Eric Kim, Courtney Kleven, Joseph Lee, Erik Lissak, Michelle Mahin, Grace Mussa, Daniel Park, Katie Peterson, Vanessa Pham, Makoa Rosa, Caitlin Shoemaker, Shelby Simonson, Lauren Whybrew and Charlene Yamasaki. ALY is a youth leadership program affiliated with the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Comcast Foundation and Federal Way Public Schools. It is designed to develop strong leadership skills and promote community activism among high school sophomores and juniors. Participants meet over 100 local leaders, learn about important facets of community, such as government, culture and diversity, economics and quality of life, and go on field trips throughout the city. They receive hands-on leadership training, and use their new skills to complete a class project. In ALY’s first five years, almost 150 students have completed the program. To learn more, visit www.advancingleadership.org, or contact Executive Director Teri Hickel at terih@federalwaychamber.com or (253) 838-2605.