The American Heart Association named two students from Washington state as National Youth Heart Ambassadors for the 2026–27 school year. The appointment is part of a nationwide effort to involve young people in promoting heart health, stroke awareness and lifesaving skills in schools. Students for the role were nominated nationwide based on a personal connection to cardiovascular disease or stroke, a family experience, or demonstrated commitment to wellness.
MacKenzie “Kenzie” Kingshott is a 10th grader at Mount Vernon Christian High School in Mount Vernon, Wash. Kenzie’s cardiac history includes episodes of an abnormally fast heartbeat beginning at about age six while playing basketball. After recurring episodes and monitoring, she received a formal diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) at age 13 following a severe event during a volleyball game. She underwent a successful cardiac procedure and has not had an episode since.
Today Kenzie emphasizes cardiovascular fitness through basketball, regular exercise and healthier eating. She is passionate about helping others and plans to encourage peers to support school-based lifesaving education and cardiovascular research through the American Heart Association. Kenzie also aspires to a career in cardiac surgery.
Eloise Darling is a 3rd grader at Lake Tapps Elementary School in Lake Tapps, Wash., and the youngest of seven siblings. She was diagnosed at age three with multiple congenital heart defects: atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), mitral valve regurgitation and a cleft tricuspid valve. Shortly after diagnosis, Eloise underwent open-heart surgery to repair her heart.
Following surgical repair, Eloise’s endurance improved substantially; she now runs, plays and remains active for much longer periods than before surgery. She takes pride in her surgical scar as a symbol of resilience and identifies as a heart warrior. Inspired by the nurses who cared for her, Eloise hopes to become a nurse to provide the same support to others.
As National Youth Heart Ambassadors, Kenzie and Eloise will promote awareness about the impact of heart disease and stroke, advocate for healthy habits and encourage learning of lifesaving techniques such as Hands-Only CPR. Their responsibilities include supporting the American Heart Association’s school-based programs and encouraging peer participation in education and fundraising efforts that back cardiovascular research, prevention and emergency preparedness.
They will serve alongside 13 other student volunteers from around the country, joining a cohort intended to inspire peers to adopt lifelong healthy behaviors and to learn basic cardiac emergency response.
The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge are evidence-backed school programs that deliver age-appropriate lessons and activities to teach students how to care for their hearts, minds and bodies. According to the release, these programs operate in more than 20,000 schools nationwide and emphasize getting students physically active, building confidence, and teaching cardiac emergency preparedness.
The programs also incorporate fundraising components that support the AHA’s work in funding cardiovascular research, prevention initiatives and education related to heart disease and stroke.
Schools interested in participating in the 2026–27 school year are invited to register for the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. Registration links and program details are maintained by the American Heart Association and are intended for educators and school program coordinators seeking to implement the curriculum and student engagement activities.
The American Heart Association describes itself as a longstanding organization dedicated to improving cardiovascular health and reducing death and disability from heart disease and stroke. The release highlights the AHA’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives and notes its century-plus history of providing health information, funding research, advocating for public health and supporting communities.
For the Washington affiliate, a statement from Chad Brown, board chair for the American Heart Association – Washington, commends the student ambassadors for stepping into leadership roles and notes the value of youth-led philanthropy and peer education.
Media and public contact details were provided in the original release. The announcement also included visual materials and photographer credits for portraits and candid images of the ambassadors.
About source material
This summary and rewrite are based solely on the AHA News release announcing the 2026–27 National Youth Heart Ambassadors from Washington. No additional facts, dates beyond those in the release, or external study outcomes were added.