Pike Liberal Arts School senior Joy Schwarte was selected as the Troy Exchange Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year.

Vice President Donna McLaney Jones said The Troy Exchange Club reinstated its Youth of the Year Award after the program had been dormant for some time. She said Schwarte was selected from the pool of applicants from the club’s 34th Annual Tip Colley Awards nominees. Jones said Schwarte will represent the club at the Exchange Club district competition on Saturday in Montgomery.

“Well, thank y’all for having me.” Schwarte said. “I really appreciate this opportunity. I’m very impressed by all of the service that y’all have done, and I just hope to represent you all well in Montgomery, so thank you.”

At Pike Liberal, Schwarte was a member of both the Pike Liberal Arts basketball and softball teams. She was also a member of Excel Club, Chapel Team, National Honors Society, the South Alabama Electric Youth Tour and Washington Youth Tour. She was the Interact Club outreach officer and the SGA Chaplain. She was the high scorer at the AISA Math Competition and won the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. She was also the Distinguished Young Woman Winner and scholastics winner

She is the daughter of Michael and Ying Schwarte. The family attends Church of the Highlands and St. Mark’s Episcopal. She is an Acolyte, Vacation Bible School counselor, Small Group Leader and took part in the Summer Blast team and youth projects.