World’s Strongest Violinist Evan Pittman was named the 2017 City of Phoenix Outstanding Young Man of the Year at a luncheon presided over by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton on Thursday, April 27.

Phoenix’s Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman (OYMYW) of the Year program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of the city’s top high school students.  Each year, 16 high school students are selected as council district winners and recognized at the luncheon, along with a teacher or mentor who inspired them.  Each district winner received a cash award, and an overall winner is selected from among district winners.  Evan was selected as the District 6 and overall winner, resulting in a $2000 cash scholarship.

“It was great to be honored among so many very talented high school students,” Evan said after the luncheon. “I’m truly humbled by this award and recognition.”  Evan was recognized for his extensive involvement in community service activities, volunteering well over 200 hours in 2016 alone, as well as his achievements in academics, music and sports.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton kicked off the luncheon with a speech focusing on the high quality of the district winners, and reiterating the intent of the award to recognize overall excellence in academics, sports and community service.  Stanton said hundreds of submissions were reviewed by a selection panel, and dozens of finalists were interviewed, all with extensive academic, athletic, community and extracurricular achievement.