Zoey Boukedes

Nov. 13. Zoey Boukedes walks off the soccer field on a sunny, breezy autumn afternoon looking like any of the other hundreds of girls out there sporting ponytails, turf marks and Charlotte Independence jerseys.

Zoey, however, isn’t like most teenagers — or any of them, for that matter.

She was in elementary school when she came home one day bothered by the bullying she witnessed all too often. Encouraged by her parents, she set out to make the world a more encouraging place.

Zoey came up with a simple idea. One day a year, she wanted people to focus on making others feel good — on building people up instead of tearing them down. She called it Yay!Day and decided it would take place on Oct. 30, the day before Halloween, when she felt families could use a break from the stress of the holidays.

Her mother printed some T-shirts that said “Yay!” on the front and the date on the back, and posted pictures of the family wearing them on social media. With the excitement and feedback the post generated, Yay!Day was born.

Two years later, as Yay!Day was starting to find its stride, COVID-19 hit. Zoey was in sixth grade at Bailey Middle School, forced to stay home for nearly a year as school remained closed and negativity seemed to seep into every fabric of society.

“After we were able to return to school, I was determined to find ways that Yay!Day could radiate positivity,” she said. “I wanted to help students and families recognize the benefits of a positive mindset and the impact that could have on their lives.”

Flash forward to her senior year in high school, and Yay!Day has evolved from Zoey’s kitchen table to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has raised more than $225,000 to fund a scholarship program and support other local charities.

In its many forms, Yay!Day is committed to teaching the principles of positive thinking as a method of handling obstacles. It strives to promote positivity, encourage awareness, and raise funds to support causes that make a positive impact in the community.

“If we only see the negative side of things,” she said, “how can we learn to see the positive? My idea sparked from that one thought: positivity. If people look at things with a positive point of view, it will benefit the way they feel.”

To date, Zoey has raised money from comedy shows at the Cain Center, a Polaris UTV raffle, corporate sponsors, individual donations and more. Her Yay!Day Club is the largest student-led club at Hough High School, with 250 members who take part in fundraising and mentorship opportunities.

In her free time — yes, free time — she works with other nonprofits like Bags of Hope and FeedNC. She’s the senior secretary for the National Honor Society, volunteers at local hospitals, and donates her time on Friday nights to coach soccer for children and adults with disabilities.

“The size and scope of what she’s accomplished are nothing short of impressive,” said Thomas Finlay, executive director of the Charlotte Independence. “She volunteers her time and inspires her classmates to do the same. That’s the Zoey I know — someone who gives back to her community with genuine heart and humility.”

It’s fall of her senior year in high school, and in between school and soccer practice, Zoey has plans — big plans.

A trip to the mall? Not quite.

She wants to hold a spring comedy show at the Cain Center and more community events to raise money. She wants to endow a Yay!Day college scholarship for soccer players.

She wants to attend college next fall to study pre-med. She wants to become an immunologist so she can help others, like her, who suffer from food allergies. She wants to become a leader in the health care industry.

Wherever she goes next fall and beyond, Zoey wants Yay!Day to come with her.

“I want Yay!Day to continue to radiate positivity to as many people as possible,” she said. “If there is one thing that this journey has taught me, it’s that you can’t let your imagination limit the possibility of your ideas.”

Visit www.yaydaylife.com to learn more and donate.

It’s the month of giving and each Thursday during November we’ll spotlight local efforts to give back to our community.