The Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau announces that this week’s featured Youth Citizenship Award recipient is Summer Downey, the daughter of Lyndsay Siafakas and Jamie Eddy and a graduate of Salamanca High School.

Downey exemplifies dedication and integrity, earning her coach’s recognition as a hardworking and inspiring role model. Her unwavering commitment to giving her best, along with her kindness and willingness to help others, makes her a remarkable young lady who positively influences her community.

This fall, Downey intends to start college to pursue her studies, with the goal of someday becoming an English or math teacher to inspire children and foster a love for these subjects.

Downey dedicates considerable time to volunteering in youth sports, having mentored at summer soccer and track and field camps over the past four years. Last summer, she also served as a coach for the U6 Salamanca Youth Soccer team.

For the past three years, she has dedicated her time and effort by volunteering at the annual Cindy Mohr 5K, contributing to the success of this meaningful event that supports the Cindy Mohr Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In school, Downey is a proud member of the National Honor Society, where she is recognized for demonstrating excellence in academics, leadership, service and character, and she actively participates in various community service projects, leadership initiatives, and school activities to uphold the values and standards of the society.

Additionally, she is an active member of the Math Honor Society, where she has demonstrated her strong analytical skills and dedication to mathematical excellence. She is also a committed member of the Spanish Honor Society, reflecting her passion for language and cultural studies, and she holds the position of secretary. Lastly, Downey is also a member of the Captains Club, which fosters leadership, teamwork and community involvement.

Downey serves as a defender on the varsity soccer team, demonstrating her exceptional defensive skills, swift reflexes and strategic positioning to help her team uphold strong defensive lines and thwart opponents’ scoring efforts. She also actively competes in varsity track and field and indoor track and field, participating in a range of events such as sprints, mid-distance races, and relays, highlighting her versatility, dedication to athletic excellence and capacity to succeed in both individual and team sports.

Her ongoing dedication to academic excellence as a high honor roll student and scholar-athlete is recognized, as she ranks among the top ten students in her class. She has been honored with the George H. Ball Community Achievement Award from Keuka College for her integrity, academic achievement, diversity, leadership, service, and social responsibility. Additionally, she earned the Bonnie Scholarship Award, which recognizes her dedication to academic excellence, community involvement, integrity, wisdom, leadership, social responsibility, compassion and appreciation for diversity.

During her free time, Downey enjoys engaging in sports, particularly playing soccer, as well as spending quality moments with her friends, family and her two dogs, Dexter and Otto. She also has a passion for reading and writing and takes pride in supporting her fellow Warrior athletes.

Downey embodies the qualities of a dedicated scholar and community leader, making a positive impact on those around her. Congratulations, Summer!

Nominations for the 2026 graduating class are open through Feb. 28, 2026. If you know an outstanding high school senior who demonstrates exceptional community engagement, you can nominate them for a Cattaraugus County Youth Citizenship Award. For more information, visit cattcoyouth.org or contact Christina O’Brien, Youth Bureau program coordinator, at (716) 701-3360.