Blog

On April 29th, the 412 Youth Zone proudly celebrated 13 incredible participants during Auberle’s annual All Star Banquet at the beautiful Stratigos Banquet Centre. Beginning at 5:30 PM, the evening brought together staff, supporters, families, and community members to recognize the resilience, creativity, leadership, and determination of young people across Auberle programs. 

This year’s theme, The Art of Excellence!, was inspired by Pittsburgh’s own Andy Warhol and the idea that repetition is not meaningless: it is momentum. Growth happens by showing up again, and again, and again. That message perfectly reflected the journeys of our youth members honored throughout the evening. 

The Youth Zone was proud to recognize participants across several award categories: 

• 2 Advocate of the Year Awards honoring participants who use their voices to stand up for themselves and others while demonstrating leadership, courage, and a commitment to positive change.  

• 1 Youth Zone MVP Award presented to a participant who consistently goes above and beyond while making a positive impact on both peers and staff.  

• 4 Overcoming Obstacles Awards recognizing participants who have faced significant challenges with resilience, strength, and determination.  

• 5 Outstanding Scholar Awards celebrating dedication to education, academic growth, and commitment to personal goals.  

• 1 Studio Star Award honoring a participant who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, passion, and growth through music and self-expression in the YZ Music Studio.  

The evening was filled with celebration, creativity, and connection. Guests enjoyed a fun soup can-inspired photo backdrop that paid tribute to Warhol’s iconic pop art style, while the The Andy Warhol Museum facilitated a hands-on “Make Your Own Acetate Collage” activity. Participants learned how Warhol combined photography, collage, silkscreening, and drawing to create the layered artistic style seen in many of his commissioned portraits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. 

More than anything, the evening served as a reminder of the talent, perseverance, and potential that exists within our participants every single day. Each award represented a story of growth, hard work, and continued progress. Proof that excellence is not about perfection, but about continuing to move forward. 

Congratulations again to all of this year’s honorees. Your creativity, resilience, leadership, and determination inspire all of us, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.