Riya Banerjee: district champion, Junior Olympian, MVP & scholar-athlete with a 4.56 GPA. A driven leader deserving Youth Athlete of the Yea
Thank you for supporting Riya in this competition. Your participation made a huge impact for the Why Not You Foundation and their mission to empower change in the world, one individual at a time and one child at a time.
What is Youth Athlete of the Year?
Learn MoreRiya loves track because it constantly challenges her to become stronger, faster, and more confident. She enjoys striving for excellence, but she also values that every meet day brings a new experience—an opportunity to learn something about herself, overcome pressure, and grow as an athlete. Most of all, she loves the team spirit: encouraging her teammates, celebrating one another’s progress, and working together toward shared goals
Riya is most inspired by her parents, on and off the track. Their hard work, sacrifices, support, and achievements motivate her to give her best in everything she does. They are a team, from 5 a.m. gym sessions with her mom and watching the sunrise together to celebrating each milestone. She is also inspired by athletes whose discipline and resilience remind her that growth comes from commitment, courage, and believing in what is possible.
The proudest moments are not only Riya’s races at the Junior Olympic and Regional Championships, but the person she is becoming through track. Her resilience, determination, and positive “can-do” attitude shine through every challenge. She shows true sportsmanship and inspires younger children to run; seeing them look up to her as a role model is especially meaningful.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
