The Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau is pleased to announce that this week’s featured Youth of the Week is Zoey Bush. Zoey is the daughter of Dave and Maren Bush and is a senior at Allegany-Limestone Middle-High School.
Zoey was nominated by her English teacher, who shared, “Zoey is a fantastic student who goes above and beyond in class. Zoey is taking a plethora of college level courses and is a part of the New Visions program. Not only does she excel in academics, but Zoey is a captain on the swim team and has a part-time job. Above all else, Zoey always has an extremely positive attitude and is always willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even in her most difficult classes. It has truly been a pleasure to have Zoey in class!”
Throughout her high school years, Zoey has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving her community, generously volunteering her time to support numerous charitable organizations and events. For the past five years, she has volunteered with the Pink Pumpkin Project, decorating pumpkins and assisting with local fundraising events. She has also supported the Salvation Army's holiday fundraising efforts as a bell ringer. For the past four years, Zoey has volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer's, assisting with event preparations, participant registration, and food service. Additionally, she has spent the past two years supporting the Colt45 fundraising event.
Zoey enjoys opportunities to work with younger children. For the past three years, she has served as a science camp counselor, supervising fifth-grade students and assisting with educational programming. Last year, she expanded her mentoring experience by serving as a junior coach for Girls on the Run, helping teach the program's curriculum to girls in grades three through five.
Her commitment to helping others extends into her school community, where she participates in several service-oriented organizations. Through the Friends of Rachel Club, Zoey promotes kindness and supports fundraising activities. As a three-year member of the Leo Club, an extension of the Olean-Portville Lions Club, she has helped create tie blankets for donation to local organizations and participated in Salvation Army fundraising efforts. She has also been active in Natural Helpers for the past three years, promoting mental health awareness and the importance of peer support among students.
Equally impressive are Zoey's academic accomplishments. She has been a member of the National Junior Honor Society/National Honor Society since 2020, and has earned numerous other distinctions, including the Blue Ribbon Award in ninth and eleventh grades, the Outstanding Effort Award for three consecutive years, and the Excellence Award for the past two years. Most notably, Zoey was selected as one of just 15 students in Cattaraugus County to participate in the New Visions Health Professions program, providing her with valuable opportunities to explore her interest in healthcare.
In addition to her academic success, Zoey is an accomplished swimmer and captain of the varsity swim team. Since 2022, she has earned several individual honors, including Most Improved in Varsity Swim and Dive, the Coach's Choice Award, and Student Athlete of the Month. Her competitive achievements include being a member of the first-place 400 freestyle relay team at the CCAA Championships and earning finalist honors in the 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle, and 50 freestyle events. She was also a Section VI Class C Championship finalist in the 100 breaststroke. Since 2024, Zoey has been part of the team holding the CCAA record in the 200 medley relay.
Along with swimming, Zoey competes in Section VI varsity track and field, specializing in sprints, the triple jump, and the discus. She has also represented her school in Section VI tennis doubles.
Despite her demanding schedule of academics, athletics, volunteer activities, and part-time employment, Zoey makes time to enjoy reading, arts and crafts, pickleball with family and friends, sailing and other water activities, and winter skiing and snowshoeing.
Looking ahead, Zoey plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy, specializing in pediatrics and working in a hospital setting. Congratulations, Zoey!
Youth Citizenship Awards
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