American Heart Association Names 15 National Youth Heart Ambassadors for 2025-26 School Year

The American Heart Association has announced the selection of 15 students from first through 12th grade as national Youth Heart Ambassadors for the 2025-26 school year. These ambassadors, representing the Association's Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge initiatives, will use their personal experiences with heart disease and stroke to encourage healthy habits and support children with heart conditions across the country.

Each ambassador brings a unique personal connection to cardiovascular health issues, serving either as survivors or advocates. Their collective mission includes promoting physical and mental well-being, raising awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention, and advocating for Hands-Only CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. This initiative comes at a critical time as young Americans face increasing rates of both mental and physical health challenges according to recent research.

The diverse group of ambassadors includes students from various states and grade levels, each with compelling personal stories. Ava, a third grader from West Virginia, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and had open-heart surgery at just three days old. Bodhi, a second grader from California, underwent open-heart surgery at age three to correct congenital heart defects. Dylan, a fourth grader from Oklahoma, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and has undergone three surgeries.

Heather, a tenth grader from California, survived a cardiac arrest at school thanks to Hands-Only CPR and an AED, making her a strong advocate for improved cardiac emergency response plans in educational settings. Julianna, a sixth grader from Florida, was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and underwent a successful heart procedure in 2024. Diya, a ninth grader from Kentucky, was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries and underwent lifesaving surgery as an infant.

Other ambassadors include Kate from Missouri (12th grade), who has had three open-heart surgeries; Ridge from Texas (4th grade), who received a heart transplant in 2023; Tyson from Georgia (3rd grade), born with Transposition of the Great Arteries; Zoey from New Jersey (9th grade), who had surgery as an infant to repair holes in her heart; Charlotte from Washington (4th grade), inspired by the loss of loved ones; Julian from Texas (5th grade), motivated by family experiences with heart disease; Karli from Louisiana (4th grade), honoring her late father; Lucy from Washington (5th grade), advocating after her grandfather's congestive heart failure diagnosis; and Parker from Michigan (1st grade), motivated by family health journeys.

The American Heart Association's school programs are scientifically grounded and designed to improve physical and emotional well-being, support academic success, and help students develop confidence in making a difference. Schools can register for the 2025-26 school year programs at heart.org/getstarted, while information about becoming a future Youth Heart Ambassador is available at heart.org/youthambassador.