A group of high school students with the Work Force Development Center (WFDC) in Everett, Wash. thought they were lucky to be invited to watch a Seahawks practice in Renton, Wash. this week. But the real surprise came when linebacker KJ Wright came over to the group after practice ended.

“You guys are doing a lot of great things,” Wright said as he shook hands and took pictures with the teens. “And we have a very, very big surprise for you all! Since we love you guys so much, we want to personally invite you guys to come to the Seahawks vs. Texas game here in a few weeks. So here are your tickets... get excited!!”

Last month, fans submitted their suggestions for deserving organizations to be recognized and rewarded by the Legion of Youth Powered by Boeing (LOY) program. LOY is a unique community program created by Boeing and the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 to provide Seahawks game tickets to community organizations that serve youth throughout the Northwest.

LOY selects eight organizations – one for each home game – and provides each one with 100 game tickets. The groups then select 25 students in their organization and each teen receives four game tickets, snacks and a chat with a Seahawks legend, concession vouchers, and a Legion of Youth Powered by Boeing sweatshirt.

This year’s newest recipient, WFDC, provides disabled and economically disadvantaged high school students with aerospace apprenticeship training.

17-year old Kari Damian is a student at Everett High School and WFDC participant whose goal is to become a mechanic. Damian says he can’t believe he’s now headed to his first NFL game. “I feel so honored and inspired by this,” he said with a huge smile. “I didn’t expect this at all!”

Here is the total list of 2017 Legion of Youth recipients:

• Black Pilots of America
• Cocoon House
• Work Force Development Center
• Washington Green Schools
• Treehouse
• Washington State Science & Engineering Fair
• Hillside Youth Center
• Lummi Youth Academy

By Deborah Feldman