15 students named national Youth Heart Ambassadors for 2025-26 school year

Student leaders will help the American Heart Association advance heart health, stroke awareness and CPR education across the country

2025-08-20

(Press-News.org) DALLAS, Aug. 20, 2025 — With young Americans facing rising rates of mental and physical health challenges[1], the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is enlisting a new class of Youth Heart Ambassadors to spark change in schools and communities nationwide.

The Association selected 15 first through 12th grade students from across the country as national Youth Heart Ambassadors for the 2025-26 school year. Representing the Association’s Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ initiatives, the student ambassadors will use their personal connection to heart disease and stroke to encourage others to adopt healthy habits and support children with heart conditions.

“These terrific, motivated ambassadors are engaging with their peers making a real impact in their schools and communities,” said Lee Shapiro, American Heart Association volunteer board chair and managing partner at 7wireVentures. “Their experiences, leadership and compassion will help build a culture of health for future generations, one child, one story and one heartbeat at a time.”

Each Youth Heart Ambassador has a personal connection to heart disease or stroke, whether as a survivor or a student advocate, and brings a unique voice to the cause. Together, they’ll promote the importance of physical and mental well-being, raise awareness of heart disease and stroke prevention and advocate for Hands-Only CPR and AEDs in schools.

Meet the 2025-26 national Youth Heart Ambassadors:

Ava, third grade, West Virginia – Born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect that involves four heart problems, Ava had open-heart surgery at just three days old. She stays active and positive and says her heart makes her feel special. Bodhi, second grade, California – After undergoing open-heart surgery at age 3 to correct congenital heart defects, Bodhi now keeps his heart healthy through karate, dance and good nutrition. Dylan, fourth grade, Oklahoma – Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, meaning the left side of his heart didn’t fully develop, Dylan has since undergone three surgeries. Now he shares his story to support advancements and awareness for children with special hearts. Heather, 10th grade, California – After surviving a cardiac arrest at school thanks to Hands-Only CPR and an AED, Heather advocates for stronger cardiac emergency response plans in schools. Julianna, sixth grade, Florida – Julianna was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, an arrhythmia that causes the electrical pathways between the heart’s upper and lower chambers to malfunction. After a successful heart procedure in 2024, she now encourages others to care for their health. Diya, ninth grade, Kentucky – Diya was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries, a condition where the main arteries in her heart were switched, and underwent lifesaving surgery as an infant. She stays healthy by eating fruits and vegetables and being active. Kate, 12th grade, Missouri – Kate has had three open-heart surgeries due to having a heart that’s smaller on one side. While her condition causes her to have limitations, she focuses on what she can do and uses her voice to inspire others. Ridge, fourth grade, Texas – After three surgeries and a heart transplant in 2023, Ridge now has a new lease on life and shares his story to help support the Heart Association’s mission. Tyson (“Ty”), third grade, Georgia – Ty was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries and had to undergo emergency surgery. Today, he protects his heart by making healthy choices and playing sports. Zoey, ninth grade, New Jersey – Zoey had surgery as an infant to repair holes in her heart. She is now a healthy teenager and thrives as an athlete and CPR advocate. Charlotte, fourth grade, Washington – Inspired by the loss of loved ones, Charlotte uses her voice to teach others about heart health and how CPR can save lives. Julian, fifth grade, Texas – With a dream of becoming a doctor, Julian has been inspired by his family’s experiences with heart disease and now raises awareness as a youth leader. Karli, fourth grade, Louisiana – Karli honors her late father by encouraging others to live heart-healthy lives and sharing physical and mental health tips with her friends. Lucy, fifth grade, Washington – After her grandfather’s diagnosis with congestive heart failure, Lucy became an advocate for heart health to help families like hers. Parker, first grade, Michigan – Motivated by the health journeys of several family members, Parker is passionate about teaching other kids how to stay heart-healthy and learn lifesaving skills. The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge in-school programs are grounded in science and designed to improve both physical and emotional well-being, support academic success and help students feel confident in their ability to make a difference.

Schools can register now for the 2025-26 school year at heart.org/getstarted. To learn how to become a future Youth Heart Ambassador, visit heart.org/youthambassador.

###

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

[1] Forrest, Christopher B., et al. “Trends in US Children’s Mortality, Chronic Conditions, Obesity, Functional Status, and Symptoms | Child Development | JAMA | Jama Network.” JAMA Network, JAMA, 7 July 2025, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2836060.

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Do no harm: Rethink treating diabetes, hypertension in frail older adults

2025-08-20

Effectively managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension can greatly improve quality of life, reduce complications and extend longevity for older adults. However, when treatment becomes overly aggressive, it can do more harm than good. Every day, thousands of vulnerable older adults in the United States are harmed by intensive management of these conditions – resulting in dangerously low blood sugar or blood pressure, emergency visits, hospitalizations, disability or even death. These harms are ...

Hospitals, sanitation linked to spread of antibiotic resistance in Guatemala

2025-08-20

PULLMAN, Wash. — In Guatemalan communities, a recent visit to a health clinic or hospital — not antibiotic use — is the strongest predictor of carrying bacteria resistant to critical antibiotics, according to a new study led by Washington State University. Previous research in Guatemala’s Western Highlands found nearly 46% of residents were colonized in the gastrointestinal tract with bacteria known as extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE). These bacteria, often E. coli, can render the commonly used and important antibiotic ceftriaxone ineffective, complicating care for infections such as pneumonia or ...

Breaking new ground in stealth technology: KRISS develops core radar components domestically

2025-08-20

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Lee Ho Seong) has successfully localized core Radar Stealth technologies through indigenous development, without reliance on foreign technologies. This achievement is a significant milestone, laying the foundation for the establishment of stealth weapon systems in Korea, which have long been difficult to import due to their classification as national strategic military assets. As global military tensions rise and competition in advanced weapon development intensifies, the importance of developing stealth weapon systems has increased significantly. Radar stealth ...

Global Virus Network launches first-ever “Global Guardians” youth camp to prepare the next generation of virus hunters

2025-08-20

Tampa, FL, August 20, 2025 – The Global Virus Network (GVN), in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) Youth Experiences and Hillsborough County Public Schools STEM Department, recently concluded its inaugural “Global Guardians: Youth for Pandemic Preparedness” summer camp, an immersive, hands-on experience that brought together some of Tampa’s brightest high school students with internationally renowned virologists, public health experts, and scientists. “This camp shows our students that science is a living, evolving field with real-world impact,” said Catherine ...

The quest for an HIV vaccine

2025-08-20

When SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, began spreading worldwide in 2020, many research teams immediately set to work developing a vaccine against it. Building on decades of previous work on mRNA technology and on other viral vaccines, including HIV, they achieved their goal within the year. The most widely used mRNA vaccine design contains the genetic instructions for the body to make the spike protein that the virus uses to enter cells. The resulting immune response protects against infection and, more importantly, disease and death. However, ...

Scientists discover a new crystal that breathes oxygen

2025-08-20

A team of scientists from Korea and Japan has discovered a new type of crystal that can "breathe"—releasing and absorbing oxygen repeatedly at relatively low temperatures. This unique ability could transform the way we develop clean energy technologies, including fuel cells, energy-saving windows, and smart thermal devices. The newly developed material is a special kind of metal oxide made of strontium, iron, and cobalt. What makes it extraordinary is that it can release oxygen when heated in a simple gas environment and then take it back in, all without falling apart. This process can be repeated many times, making it ideal for real-world applications. This ...

Robust isolated quantum spins established on a magnetic substrate

2025-08-20

Establishing robust isolated spins on solid surfaces is crucial for fabricating quantum bits or qubits, sensors, and single-atom catalysts. An isolated spin is a single spin that is shielded from external interactions. Because isolated spins can maintain their state for long periods, they are ideal for use as qubits, the basic units of quantum computation, and for ultrafast spintronic memory. Consequently, significant research has been dedicated to identifying materials capable of producing a stable isolated quantum spin. Candidates include single atoms of transition metals such as copper (Cu) in the Cu-phthalocyanine molecule (CuPc), molecular magnets, nitrogen-vacancy ...

Omega-3’s could protect women against Alzheimer’s

2025-08-20

Omega fatty acids could protect against Alzheimer’s disease in women, new research has found. Analysis of lipids – fat molecules that perform many essential functions in the body – in the blood found there was a noticeable loss of unsaturated fats, such as those that contain omega fatty acids, in the blood of women with Alzheimer’s disease compared to healthy women. Scientists found no significant difference in the same lipid molecule composition in men with Alzheimer’s disease compared to healthy men, ...

Building a better database to detect designer drugs

2025-08-20

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2025 — How do you identify something no one has a test for? Designer drugs replicate the effects of known, illicit drugs but evade law enforcement. The chemical structure variations that help these compounds avoid detection also make them unpredictable in the body — a quality that poses serious health consequences. Now, a research team has used computer modeling to create a database of predicted chemical structures for improved detection of designer drugs. Jason Liang, a rising senior in the Science, Mathematics and Computer Science Magnet Program at Montgomery Blair High School, will present the team’s ...

Breast tumors tunnel into fat cells to fuel up. Can we stop them?

2025-08-20

UCSF scientists caught cancer cells in the act of breaking into fat cells and releasing their fat. The energy heist seems to be critical for the growth of deadly breast cancer. When triple-negative breast cancer grows, the fat cells around it seem to shrink. UCSF researchers have discovered that the cells of these tumors, which are among the deadliest types of breast cancer, build molecular tunnels, called gap junctions, into nearby fat cells. The tumor cells then send instructions that trigger the fat cells to release stores of energy that could feed the cancer. Blocking the ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Reading for pleasure in freefall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades

Epigenetic noise: Unappreciated process helps cells change identity

Abrupt Antarctic changes could have ‘catastrophic consequences for generations to come’, experts warn

Saving bees with ‘superfoods’ – engineered supplement boosts colony reproduction

Threats of weather disasters for drug manufacturing facilities in the US

New Cleveland Clinic research identifies link between gut microbes and an elevated risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms

First-of-its-kind supernova reveals innerworkings of a dying star

Drought, extreme heat, and intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries

Family socioeconomic position and eating disorder symptoms across adolescence

Blocking brain damage may slow growth of brain cancer

New research could lead to greener, faster metal production

Researchers use electrochemistry to boost nuclear fusion rates

AI learns biological variability to develop a high-performance serum-free culture medium

Transforming the tip of a mechanical pencil lead into a high-quality electron beam source

From Alzheimer’s to AI: how the TReNDS center at Georgia State is advancing brain research

Integrated analysis of serum and fecal metabolites reveals the role of bile acid metabolism in drug-induced liver injury: Implications for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers