LANCASTER, PA (June 9, 2021) – The Junior League of Lancaster, PA, Inc. (JLL) is pleased to announce this year’s winner of the 2021 Deborah P. Altman Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award – Ariana Marshall, a senior from McCaskey High School. As the winner, she received $1,500 and an additional $300 to the charity of her choice. Marshall selected Jean Polite Food Bank at Bethel AME Church to receive the charitable donation.

Marshall, who intends to pursue a career as a physician, is very active within her school and community, dedicating countless hours to school projects and volunteer efforts. At McCaskey, she is a member of the National Honor Society, goalie of the field hockey team, and captain of McCaskey’s Mock Trial Team — winning the Best Advocate Award at the district competition her sophomore year. Marshall also assisted the School District of Lancaster in packing hygiene supplies for students attending North Bay Adventure Camp.

Within her community, she is an active volunteer at her church’s food bank, distributing food, assisting with paperwork, and providing translation services for Spanish-speaking clients. During the 2020 elections, she assisted with voter registration efforts by translating for Spanish-speaking individuals. She was also selected to serve on the Neighborhood Leaders Academy, working with the Mayor of Lancaster to improve the community.

In 2017, Marshall founded The Healing Room, a group dedicated to providing support to individuals facing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since that time, she also distributes Thanksgiving meals to Lancaster County veterans and toys to families in need every Christmas.

“Ariana truly embodies the spirit of the Deb Altman Award through her unwavering commitment to our community, perseverance to give back continually, and her resilience during an extraordinary year,” said Leslie McCarthy, 2020-2021 vice president of Community Impact for the Junior League of Lancaster. “In addition to her many philanthropic accomplishments, including the establishment of The Healing Room, she has thrived academically – serving as a member of the National Honor Society and as captain of McCaskey’s Mock Trial team. We are thrilled to present Ariana with this honor.”

The award is named for the late Deborah P. Altman, a past president of the Junior League of Lancaster, whose life exemplified a commitment to volunteering, a love of children, and service to the community. The purpose of the award is to recognize young people who demonstrate exceptional interest and involvement in voluntarism and inspire their peers to volunteer in their communities. Since the award was established in 1984, nearly $45,000 has been awarded to outstanding youth in Lancaster County.