The YWCA recently awarded its Young Woman of the Year 2008 award to Etana Jacobi of Hooksett, a senior at West High School. The Young Woman of the Year award is presented to a young woman who:

• is between the ages of 13- 18 and lives within the YWCA service area, which includes Manchester, Auburn, Candia, New Boston, Goffstown, Bedford, Weare, Hooksett, Derry and Londonderry;
• by her example, encourages peers to make healthy life choices;
• has demonstrated a commitment to civic action/community service;
• and has shown particular growth in confidence and leadership skills through civic action/community service activities.

Jacobi was selected as the YWCA Young Woman of the Year from applications received from each of the schools of the cities and towns that the YWCA serves.

Jacobi has been enrolled in a rigorous college prep program for the last four years, taking accelerated college prep courses and Level Four honors and AP programs. Jacobi is an honors student and has an accumulated grade-point average of 3.76. She is looking forward to studying political science and international relations at Hofstra University in the fall.

Outside the realm of academics, Jacobi has been a major contributor at West High School. She is a four-year member of the student council. She serves on the Student Council Executive Board and has been the School Board representative for the past two years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and serves as secretary to the State Board of the NHS. In addition, she has been a member of the Debate Team, Mock Trial and Steering Committee, and has participated yearly in the Community of Caring.

In the community, Jacobi teaches and tutors for Summerbridge. This is a break-through program that works with disadvantaged junior high students and encourages them to work on their academics. Jacobi also serves on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. As a member of the council, she has worked on programs such as Day for Kids, Youth Run Debates and the documentary “My First Vote.”

Jacobi has also been very active in the Cinderella Project of New Hampshire, and the Penguin Plunge, which benefits the Special Olympics. She has also participated in the Walk for Hunger and Make-A-Wish Foundations Turkey Trot.