Wenatchee fourth grader named Youth Heart Ambassador

WENATCHEE — Nine-year-old Hazel Hupp doesn’t let a heart surgery scar slow her down. The Washington Elementary student has just been selected as one of three young people across the state to serve as a local Youth Heart Ambassador with the American Heart Association for the 2025-26 school year.

Hazel was born with a congenital heart defect called Coarctation of the Aorta, which means the heart’s main artery was narrowed. Doctors caught it very early — before she was even a week old — and she underwent her first procedure as a newborn. Two more procedures followed, and at just seven months old she had open-heart surgery to repair the defect.

Today, Hazel lives a full, active life. She plays softball and ice skates, and she’s just signed up for a junior PGA golf league, eager to learn from the pros and sharpen her game.

As a Youth Heart Ambassador, Hazel will share her story with other students through the Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. The initiative brings lifesaving lessons about wellness and heart health to schools nationwide while encouraging kids to build healthy habits and raise funds for research.

Hazel joins two other Washington students selected for the local ambassador role this year: Sooahn Yang, 17, of Sammamish’s Skyline High School and Wesley Carl, 9, of Pullman’s Sunnyside Elementary. In addition, two young students — nine-year-old Charlotte Littleton from Tacoma and 10-year-old Lucy Irvin of Arlington — were tapped for national ambassador duties.

“It’s inspiring to see these students step up as leaders for youth health,” said Chad Brown, chair of the American Heart Association’s Washington board of directors. “Their passion and commitment remind us that even the youngest voices can make a powerful impact.”

For Hazel Hupp, it’s one more way to show that kids with “special hearts” can still chase big dreams — and enjoy every game, every swing, and every chance to inspire others along the way.

Schools can sign up to participate now for the 2025-26 Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. Additionally, nominations for Youth Heart Ambassadors are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information or to apply to become a Youth Heart Ambassador, please visit heart.org/youthambassador.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media