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Join the YPs on Thursday, March 18^th from 6-8:30 pm in Tri-Cities to kick off 2021 with messages of hope, inspiration, and strength from two incredible local citizens: Scott Smiley and Nate Higgins!

Scotty Smiley grew up in Pasco and attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. In 2005, while leading his Platoon in Mosul, Iraq, Scotty found himself in front of a suicide car bomb. Shrapnel blew through Scotty’s eyes, leaving him blinded and temporarily paralyzed. He woke up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center a week later. Though questioning his faith, Scotty made a decision to forgive, rebuild his life, continue to serve in the Army, becoming the first blind active-duty officer in military history. The Army Times named Scotty “Soldier of the Year” in 2007 and in 2008 he won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. After earning an MBA from Duke University, Scotty taught leadership at West Point and commanded the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Scotty is a recipient of the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary Ph.D. from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. Scotty authored Hope Unseen in 2010 and retired from the military in 2015. Over his military career, Major (Retired) Smiley received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, and Combat Diver Qualification Badge. Scotty now works as an investment banker in the capital markets department at Drexel Hamilton.

Nathan (Nate) Higgins grew up in Tri-Cities and attended Richland High School and Columbia Basin College. Shortly after high school, a workplace accident resulted in paralysis from the chest down along with a traumatic brain injury. Doctors told him that he would never swim again without water wings and that he might never be able to attend college. Ultimately, Nate went on to swim both Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge without a wetsuit, set three American Paralympic swim records, and represent the United States at the Para Pan American Games. In 2009, Nate graduated from Gonzaga University and later completed his MBA at the University of Southern California. He also holds an MSc. Today Nate lives in Tri-Cities, WA, invests in real estate, and works for the Small Business Administration. Nate is currently training for the Paralympic Games. 

Tickets are free for YP and WPC members and $10 for non-members. Address will be given upon RSVP.