Award-winning Las Vegas youth service leader

Aiyana
Castro

At 17, Aiyana has already devoted more than 4,100 verified hours to service, founded a youth-led 501(c)(3), mobilized hundreds of young volunteers, and earned recognition from national, state and local organizations.

See every honorExplore the impact
@aiyana_702 on Instagram@creatingagivingculturelv
Portrait of Aiyana Castro
Aiyana Castro · Las Vegas, Nevada
“I’m not waiting to lead tomorrow. I’m leading today.”
Only 17 years old. Already 4,100+ hours of service—and a lifetime of impact.
4,100+Verified service hours
Only 17Nationally recognized youth leader
4× GoldPresidential Volunteer Service Award
$45,000Youth grants helped direct
300+Young volunteers mobilized
The story

She turned “too young” into a movement.

Aiyana began serving her Las Vegas community as a child. When organizations told her she was too young to volunteer, she created her own opportunities—supporting people experiencing homelessness, hospice families, veterans, children and neighbors facing hardship.

That persistence became Creating a Giving Culture LV, a youth-led 501(c)(3) built to ensure that children and teens are welcomed as capable leaders. Her record is not a single project or moment. It is years of showing up, organizing, listening and bringing other young people with her.

Founder & PresidentCreating a Giving Culture LV
Senior Class PresidentArbor View High School, Class of 2027
Student Body Vice PresidentArbor View High School, 2025–2026
YNAPP Youth Board ChairCity of Las Vegas · helped direct $45,000 in grants
Make-A-Wish Youth Board Vice PresidentMake-A-Wish Southern Nevada
Nevada Volunteers Youth BoardStatewide youth service leadership
City Youth CouncilCity of Las Vegas, 2024
City Hall InternCity of Las Vegas, 2025
National Honor SocietyMember
Honor Student4.35 GPA
Impact at a glance

Not résumé lines. Lives reached.

3,000Care kits in one youth-led event

Students assembled hygiene, snack and essential-care supplies for unhoused neighbors across Southern Nevada.

HundredsYoung people mobilized

Hands-on projects give K–12 volunteers a meaningful place to serve, lead and belong.

1,000+Masks collected during COVID-19

At age 11, Aiyana helped frontline and vulnerable community members obtain urgently needed protection.

500+Handmade hospice cards

Messages brought connection and comfort to isolated hospice patients during the pandemic.

147Hospice Easter baskets

Youth volunteers created personal gifts for hospice patients and their families.

15,000Wreaths Across America goal

A youth-led campaign teaches remembrance while honoring veterans’ service and sacrifice.

Awards & recognition

A record recognized at every level.

National service honors. Statewide distinction. Local recognition. Academic excellence. Aiyana’s awards reflect both the longevity of her commitment and the breadth of her leadership.

National · 2020

Daily Point of Light #6906

Points of Light recognized Aiyana’s service during COVID-19 and her commitment to unhoused neighbors, hospice patients and veterans.

View national profile →
Nevada proclamations · 2022

Co-Founder of Be B.R.A.V.E. Day

At 13, Aiyana helped create Be B.R.A.V.E. Day—Building Respect and Values for Everyone—turning her experience with bullying into advocacy, classroom education and a formally proclaimed day of action across Nevada communities.

View the official proclamation →
National · Four-time recipient

Presidential Volunteer Service Award — Gold

Four Gold awards recognizing an extraordinary, sustained commitment to volunteer service.

Nevada Volunteers · 450 service hours

Governor’s Service Award

Recognized for completing 450 hours of service during the award period—another documented chapter in Aiyana’s sustained commitment.

National · 2026

Wreaths Across America Learn Award

Recognized for advancing remembrance, service and education for the next generation.

Statewide · 2026

Governor’s Points of Light — Individual Youth Finalist

Selected among Nevada’s top three youth finalists for service and community impact.

Statewide · 2026

Governor’s Youth Commissioner Finalist

One of three finalists considered for statewide youth leadership service.

Nevada · 2026

Nevada PTA Laureate Youth Volunteer

Honored for exceptional youth volunteerism and contribution to the community.

Clark County · 2026

Women’s History Month Honoree

Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick’s District B honoree and the youngest woman recognized.

View official recognition →
Las Vegas · 2026

Volunteer of the Year at Large

Presented by Volunteers of Vegas for community-wide service and leadership.

Las Vegas · Community Connect / Adopt-A-Cop Nevada

Community Leadership Award — Community Volunteer

Presented to Aiyana in recognition of her community volunteerism and leadership.

Las Vegas · 2025

Las Vegas Sun Standout Awards — Citizen of the Year

Selected as Arbor View’s Citizen of the Year for her dedication to addressing the needs of children and teens.

Read the profile →
Nevada · Two-time honoree

Review-Journal Academic Excellence Award

Recognized twice among outstanding Nevada students for achievement, character and service.

View 2022 recognition →
America250 Nevada · 2026

JustServe Heart of Service Award

Selected for the America250 Nevada Heart of Service Award, honoring exceptional service and a commitment to strengthening the community.

The White House · January 13, 2026

Presidential Letter of Recognition

The President and First Lady thanked Aiyana for her hard work and dedication as a community volunteer and leader, praising what she had already accomplished in her young life.

Education · 2026

PBS Las Vegas / CCSD Student Spotlight

Featured for student leadership, achievement and service in Southern Nevada.

Las Vegas · 2020

Vegas Stronger Champion Award

Recognized for service and community support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State of Nevada · 2020 · Age 11

Nevada Hero of the Day

Governor Steve Sisolak and Nevada Health Response recognized Aiyana after she helped collect more than 1,000 face masks and provided meals to families during COVID-19.

Office of Governor Steve Sisolak · April 28, 2021

Certificate of Recognition

Honored for maintaining straight A’s while serving the Las Vegas community during the pandemic and completing more than 1,500 hours of community service.

Additional distinction · 2026

Miss Centennial Hills Teen USA — First Runner-Up

A distinction reflecting Aiyana’s poise, communication and public leadership.

Additional distinction · 2022

Miss Nevada Jr. High

A statewide title recognizing poise, achievement, service and leadership.

Years of action

Long before the titles, she was serving.

State and national recognition at only 11–12

After collecting more than 1,000 masks and creating over 500 hospice cards during COVID-19, Aiyana became Daily Point of Light #6906 and Nevada Hero of the Day. By April 2021, Governor Steve Sisolak’s office formally recognized her straight-A achievement and more than 1,500 service hours.

At 13, she helped establish a proclaimed day

Aiyana co-founded Be B.R.A.V.E. Day to combat bullying and protect young people’s mental health. September 4, 2022 was formally proclaimed Be B.R.A.V.E. Day by governments across Nevada, including Nye County and the City of Mesquite.

Achievement and service grow together

She became a two-time Review-Journal Academic Excellence honoree, a four-time PVSA Gold recipient and Las Vegas Sun Standout Awards Citizen of the Year for Arbor View.

A mission becomes a nonprofit

Aiyana founded Creating a Giving Culture LV and transformed years of personal service into a structure where hundreds of young people could lead.

Recognition across Nevada—and beyond

Her year included statewide finalist honors, major volunteer awards, formal government certificates, the Wreaths Across America Learn Award and continued leadership across school, city and nonprofit boards.

Recognition in action

The photographs tell the story.

Awards, proclamations and published recognition—documenting years of service, public leadership and youth advocacy.

Las Vegas Weekly Citizen of the Year feature about Aiyana Castro
Las Vegas Weekly Citizen of the YearStandout Awards 2025 · Arbor View
Las Vegas Weekly Standout Awards 2025 cover
Recognizing the best in high school achievementLas Vegas Weekly Standout Awards cover · May 2025
Aiyana Castro receiving the Community Leadership Award from Community Connect and Adopt-A-Cop Nevada
Community Leadership AwardCommunity Connect and Adopt-A-Cop Nevada
Aiyana Castro holding the Arbor View High School Student Council Day proclamation
Student Council leadership recognizedArbor View High School Student Council Day proclamation presentation
Aiyana Castro and Kailena Needham holding City of North Las Vegas certificates for Be BRAVE Day
City of North Las Vegas recognitionBe B.R.A.V.E. Day co-founders Aiyana Castro and Kailena Needham
Aiyana Castro and Kailena Needham holding the City of Mesquite Be BRAVE Day proclamation
City of Mesquite proclamationSeptember 4 proclaimed Be B.R.A.V.E. Day
Aiyana Castro holding the Clark County Be BRAVE Day proclamation
Clark County proclamationOfficial recognition of Be B.R.A.V.E. Day
Aiyana Castro with Clark County leaders during the Be BRAVE Day proclamation presentation
Presented before Clark County leadersAiyana’s anti-bullying advocacy recognized in the commission chambers
Aiyana Castro and Kailena Needham presenting a Be BRAVE Day proclamation
Two young advocates, one statewide missionAiyana and Kailena turned their experiences into anti-bullying action
Aiyana Castro with Arbor View High School student leaders and Councilwoman Nancy Brune
Leadership shared with her schoolArbor View students recognized alongside Councilwoman Nancy Brune
Nevada Hero of the Day recognition for 11-year-old Aiyana Castro
Nevada Hero of the Day—at only 11Governor Steve Sisolak and Nevada Health Response · 2020
Aiyana Castro holding a certificate from Governor Steve Sisolak recognizing more than 1500 service hours
More than 1,500 hours before age 13Certificate of Recognition · Governor Steve Sisolak · April 28, 2021
Aiyana Castro with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak
Meeting Governor Steve SisolakYears before founding her nonprofit, Aiyana was already recognized statewide
Aiyana Castro receiving special congressional recognition at Representative Dina Titus's Nevada office
Special Congressional RecognitionOffice of U.S. Representative Dina Titus
Aiyana Castro receiving a certificate of special congressional recognition from Representative Steven Horsford
Special Congressional RecognitionOffice of U.S. Representative Steven Horsford
Aiyana Castro receiving a City of Las Vegas certificate from Councilwoman Victoria Seaman
City of Las Vegas recognitionPresented by Councilwoman Victoria Seaman · January 8, 2021
Aiyana Castro and Bella Hawkins holding City of North Las Vegas certificates
City of North Las Vegas certificatesYouth advocacy recognized at City Hall
Be BRAVE Day recognition collage at Mesquite City Hall
Be B.R.A.V.E. Day at Mesquite City HallSeptember 4 formally recognized as a day of respect and values
White House letter to Aiyana Castro dated January 13 2026
A letter from the White HouseThe President and First Lady praised Aiyana’s generosity, leadership, commitment and remarkable achievements · January 13, 2026
Aiyana Castro holding the Nevada PTA Laureate Youth Volunteer Award
Nevada PTA Laureate Youth Volunteer Award2025–2026 · Honoring exemplary volunteerism and service
Aiyana Castro among Clark County Women's History Month honorees
Clark County Women’s History Month HonoreeAiyana was the youngest woman recognized in 2026
Aiyana Castro with Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick during Women's History Month
Recognized by Commissioner Marilyn KirkpatrickClark County District B Women’s History Month · 2026
Aiyana Castro receiving the Volunteers of Vegas Volunteer of the Year at Large award
Volunteer of the Year at LargePresented by Volunteers of Vegas
Volunteers of Vegas Volunteer of the Year at Large trophy awarded to Aiyana Castro
The award bears her nameVolunteers of Vegas · Volunteer of the Year at Large
Aiyana Castro holding her official oath of office at Las Vegas City Hall
Official oath of officeCity of Las Vegas Youth Council leadership
Aiyana Castro holding Teen Talk certificates at 88.1 The People's Station
Teen Talk on 88.1 FMYouth voice and media participation at The People’s Station
Aiyana Castro receiving the Governor's Service Award for 450 hours
Governor’s Service Award—450 hoursPresented through Nevada Volunteers
Aiyana Castro receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award Gold
President’s Volunteer Service Award—GoldAiyana recognized in the Gold young-adult category
Independent media

Her work speaks—and others noticed.

FOX5 Las VegasLas Vegas teen launches nonprofit to encourage youth community outreach →KTNV Channel 13Teen organizes youth-driven service event at Centennial Hills Park →Las Vegas WeeklyCitizen of the Year: Aiyana Castro, Arbor View →Everyday.VegasLocal teen starts nonprofit youth group to help neighbors in need →
88.1 FM · The People’s StationTeen Talk—youth voice, leadership and community impact
Public-service recognition

Her work has reached every level of government.

Aiyana’s sustained service and youth leadership have been formally recognized by city, county, congressional, senatorial and gubernatorial leaders representing Las Vegas and Nevada.

City of Las Vegas · March 28, 2026Mayor Shelley Berkley
City of Las VegasCity Council Recognition
State of Nevada · March 28, 2026Governor Joe Lombardo
United States Senate · March 28, 2026Senator Jacky Rosen
United States SenateSenator Catherine Cortez Masto
United States CongressRepresentative Dina Titus
United States CongressRepresentative Steven Horsford
Clark CountyCommissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick

The recognition is documented.

Formal certificates honoring Aiyana’s leadership and community service, presented March 28, 2026.

Certificate of Recognition presented to Aiyana Castro by Governor Joe Lombardo
Office of Governor Joe LombardoCertificate of Recognition · State of Nevada
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition presented to Aiyana Castro by Senator Jacky Rosen
United States Senator Jacky RosenCertificate of Special Congressional Recognition
City of Las Vegas recognition presented to Aiyana Castro and signed by Mayor Shelley Berkley
Mayor Shelley BerkleyOfficial City of Las Vegas Recognition

Leadership tables where Aiyana has served

YNAPP Youth Board — ChairCity of Las Vegas youth grantmaking; helped direct $45,000
Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada Youth Board — Vice PresidentYouth leadership supporting wish families
Nevada Volunteers Youth Board — MemberStatewide youth service and civic leadership
City of Las Vegas Youth Council — MemberYouth voice in local civic leadership
Creating a Giving Culture LV — Founder & PresidentBuilt a youth-led 501(c)(3) from the ground up
Arbor View High School — Senior Class PresidentElected to lead the Class of 2027
Creating a Giving Culture LV

She did not wait for permission to lead.

Aiyana built the opportunity she wished existed when she was younger. Now, every child who serves beside her receives the message she once needed to hear: you are capable, your compassion matters, and you can make a difference today.

See Aiyana’s journeyFollow the nonprofit
About Aiyana Castro

Las Vegas community service, led by a teenager.

Aiyana Castro is a 17-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada community-service leader, youth volunteer and founder of Creating a Giving Culture LV, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit. With more than 4,100 verified volunteer hours, she has led projects supporting children in hospice care, unhoused youth, veterans, first responders and families across Southern Nevada. Her record includes four Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold honors, Nevada and Clark County recognition, congressional certificates, a White House letter, youth-board leadership and extensive media coverage.