Lexi Jacobs '27 has been chosen as a WLKY Bell Award Youth Service Honor recipient. For 49 years, the Bell Awards have recognized adults and high school students who display a personal commitment to volunteerism, helping make our community a better place. Lexi will be celebrated at the 2026 Bell Awards on Millionaire's Row at Churchill Downs on October 8th.
Beyond serving as a student leader as Sacred Heart Academy's Student Council president, Lexi has devoted a significant amount of time throughout her middle and high school years serving others with compassion. For three years, she has helped lead initiatives for the RAK Louisville Student Advisory Board focusing on food insecurity and hygiene access. She maintains the Blue Lick Elementary Outdoor Food Pantry throughout the school year, monitoring inventory, organizing food drives, and soliciting donations. Additionally, Lexi serves as president of the WaterStep Teen Board and coordinates many shoe drives. In 2025 she pioneered and led WaterStep’s first-ever Steps for Safe Water 5K, which attracted 170 participants and raised more than $7,000 to support clean water initiatives. She has also volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, Norton Children’s Hospital, Kentucky We Day Youth Board, and on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student Visionary Campaign.
According to their website, "In 1994, the program was expanded to include The Youth Service Honor. This award was created to acknowledge high school students who display the same passion of volunteer service as the adult Bell Award recipients. They are selected on the basis of personal commitment to volunteer work performed above and beyond any academic requirement."
One of only two 2026 Youth Service Honor recipients, Lexi will receive a $2,500 cash scholarship award from the Brown-Forman Corporation, Lorch Family Foundation and William W. Campbell.