On Thursday, April 25, the Long Beach Post hosted an event to honor young people from around the city who are doing great things to better their community and beyond. Out of hundreds of nominations from our readers, judges chose 40 winners who run the gamut from educators to artists to business owners to community activists, all of whom represent just a selection of those who are today contributing to the betterment of Long Beach.

On top of her nonstop work as Editor of the Gazette Newspapers, Ashleigh is also a nonstop advocate for Long Beach itself. Her work with the Junior League of Long Beach grew Kids in the Kitchen–an event that now attracts more than a thousand attendees annually for its focus on increasing family health through proper eating habits and regular exercise. On top of her being honored as a 40 Under 40er this year, she was also honored last year in Bonnie Lowenthal’s 30 Women Under 30 event.