Gateway Region YMCA Names Maxwell Anderson and Cara Rose Thomas as the 2026 Sonnenberg and Sunnen Youth of the Year
The Gateway Region YMCA is awarding two Gateway Region YMCA teens with the Sonnenberg and Sunnen Youth of the Year Scholarship. Maxwell Anderson of the Monroe County YMCA will be receiving the Sonnenberg Youth of the Year and Cara Rose Thomas of Mid County YMCA will be receiving the Sunnen Youth of the Year. These scholarship awards serve to honor outstanding leadership, service, and commitment of highly exceptional high school students who are employed by the YMCA.
The Sonnenberg and Sunnen Youth of the Year Scholarship awards two recipients out of all the branch Youth of the Year recipients with $5,000 to support their higher education. Both awards honor the legacy and vision of Joseph P. Sunnen and Ray Sonnenberg Sr. and salute young people who exemplify the YMCA’s core values — caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
“Congratulations to Maxwell Anderson, Cara Rose Thomas, and all of the Youth of the Year recipients for making a lasting difference in their communities through leadership, volunteerism, and other contributions,” said Tim Helm, president and CEO of the Gateway Region YMCA. “At the Y, we recognize that all youth have great potential, and we look forward to hearing about the great things these youth leaders will do in the future.”
Maxwell Anderson, the Monroe County YMCA Youth of the Year and Sonnenberg Youth of the Year, is a senior at Columbia High School and serves as a Referee and Youth Sports Coach for the YMCA.
“The YMCA has given me more than a job; it has given me purpose and is helping me move forward in life with my goals.”
Maxwell Anderson, Sonnenberg Youth of the Year
In the fall of 2026, Maxwell plans to attend Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville and was accepted into the Exercise Science Major with plans to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. While in college, he plans to continue to work in the field of fitness at his local YMCA as a sports official and youth coach.
Cara Rose Thomas, the Mid County YMCA Youth of the Year and Sunnen Youth of the Year, is a senior at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School and has served in multiple roles at the YMCA, including Y Club after-care support staff and summer day camp counselor. Cara grew up with the YMCA and attended camp as a child, which motivated her to work for the Y when she reached high school.
“Being a part of the Y really helped me learn what it’s like to have a support system and a strong community as well.”
Cara Rose Thomas, Sunnen Youth of the Year
After high school, she plans to pursue a major in psychology and continue to work with youth.
The Gateway Region YMCA is committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to become a healthy, contributing member of society. We offer activities and programs for teens that provide them with academic assistance, employment opportunities, and other life skills with a focus on empowerment.
Y Branch Youth of the Year 2026 Recipients:
Jayda Harris
Owen Saeger
Nicole Jaramillo
Saige Parker
Parker Bergfeld
Eleni Kriete
Gracie Sommers
Carter Ullery
Cara Rose Thomas
Maxwell Anderson
Ainsley Berthot
Nathan Bini
Chaise Moore
Mae Belle Borah
Nathaniel Keiser
Parker Givens
Kleyton Crate
Haley Meek
About the Gateway Region YMCA
The Gateway Region YMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The association features 25 traditional branches in Missouri and Illinois, along with the Campus Y student leadership facility at Washington University and YMCA Camp Lakewood and Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO.
The Y also manages several specialized public-private partnerships: the Carondelet Park and O'Fallon Park Rec Complexes are owned by the City of St. Louis and operated by the Y; the RiverChase YMCA is owned by the city of Fenton and operated by the Y; and the Ste. Genevieve County YMCA is owned by the City of Ste. Genevieve and operated by the Y.
Committed to serving people of all abilities, the Y offers financial assistance to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their ability to pay. The Gateway Region YMCA is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
For more information, please visit gwrymca.org or call 314-436-1177.