Two local students are set to receive the annual Youth Human Rights Award from the Rye City Human Rights Commission at the city council meeting this Wednesday evening, June 11th, 2025. The Commission will recognize two students as co-recipients; Ashley Hernandez of Rye Neck High School and Kaylie Nakamura of Rye High School.
These 2024/25 winners were selected from a pool of nominees ages 18 or younger who live in Rye or attend any of the schools in Rye City or Rye Neck. They have made contributions or aided in human rights in Rye City through education, activism, and/ or community service. The last recipients of the Youth Human Rights Award were Clara Reis of Rye Neck High School and Paulina Tepan of Rye High School.
Rye Neck High School junior Ashley Hernandez
The first recipient of this year’s youth category is Rye Neck High School junior Ashley Hernandez. Hernandez has been instrumental in creating and implementing programs supporting the Hispanic community in Westchester County. At Rye Neck, Hernandez helped to found the Hispanic Club.
While working alongside her leadership board, she outlined a plan to welcome new Hispanic students into the school and to provide a smooth transition so they feel included in the school environment. In addition, Hernandez has met and worked with local legislators to understand how political decisions impact the Hispanic community and what changes can be made to implement better living for these community members.
While in school, Hernandez has been actively involved as a student-athlete, and has led through her memberships in the National Honor, Science, and Math Societies, Environmental Club, STEM Club, Art Club, Student Senate. She is involved with Rye Neck High School Theater.
Outside of school, Hernandez continues to make an impact. She is a volunteer at the Open Door Clinic, which offers affordable health care and also spends time at the Don Bosco Center, serving food to those in need. Additionally, Hernandez spends time at the Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck.
Rye High School senior Kaylie Nakamura
This year’s second recipient is Rye High senior Kaylie Nakamura. Nakamura enjoys competitive dance and serves as Rye High School’s Senior Class President. Nakamura and her family worked with guide dogs and helped children in need throughout Kaylie’s childhood.
After losing her father to pancreatic cancer in 2023, Nakamura adopted a “Carpe Diem” mindset and invests her time in assisting others. In 2024, Nakamura organized a team to run the Soul Ryeders Half Marathon and 5K, raising funds to help those impacted by cancer. In her team’s first year, they raised $18,242 and this past May, they raised $24,000. This total accounted for approximately 25% of the total raised at this year’s Soul Ryeders Half Marathon & 5k fundraiser. The funds Nakamura and her team raised in 2025 ensured that at least ten cancer patients receive a full year of Soul Ryeders personalized care.
While Nakamura continues to cope with her own loss, she has dedicated a level of compassion and determination to assisting programs such as Soul Ryeders to assist those she doesn’t know but still wants to help.
Special Recognition: Ben Fritsche
This year, the Rye City Human Rights Commission is also recognizing Rye senior, Ben Fritsche, for his work as the inaugural student representative on the Human Rights Commission. Fritsche served as a student voice within the council, sharing his thoughts and engaging in thoughtful discussions with council members. His time with the Human Rights Commission allowed for new perspectives to be heard and further advanced the Commission’s work within the community.
