Congratulations
SilverSneakers® Member of the Year 2026
Award Winners and Honorees
SilverSneakers Member of the Year
Activity Award Winner
Sharon Johnson, 68
Catonsville, MD
Sharon Johnson is determined to keep moving and always give her best. Whether she’s bowling in two leagues each week, playing pickleball, taking cardio kickboxing, boot camp, yoga or dance classes, she’s always looking for new ways to stay active.
With all this exercise, it’s no surprise Sharon is the 2026 SilverSneakers® Member of the Year Activity award winner.
“I like making my body feel good,” she says. “I try to exceed in whatever I do. I may have to do some modifications, but continuously moving is my goal in any class.”
SilverSneakers helps Sharon stay active and always on the move. In fact, she attends two different gyms1 to fit more movement into her week and even joins online classes when she can’t make it to the gym.
Sharon likes to remind people they don’t have to do everything at once. Starting small, she says, is often the best way to build healthy habits, and watching online classes can be a great place to begin.
“Believe in yourself and say, ‘I want to get started and I want to get a little bit healthier today!’”
Sometimes for a little extra motivation, Sharon invites people to go to classes with her. “It’s always better when you have someone to work out with — an accountability partner if you will.”
Sharon refuses to let setbacks slow her down and focuses instead on making steady progress.
“I like to see consistent progress, so I push myself harder,” she says. “I never say never because I feel as though there is always a way. You start small and work your way up to better yourself.”
Knowing her family and friends are cheering her on gives Sharon even more reason to keep going. Their support reminds her that her determination has a ripple effect. “I am happy to say that my family and friends are proud of me. They see my determination and they also want to see me motivate others around me. It also helps me to maintain confidence in myself.”
Sharon is living life on the move, and she hopes her story inspires others to believe in themselves, start small and discover the joy of staying active.
SilverSneakers Member of the Year
Inspiration Award Winner
Lily Kanipe
Lily Kanipe, 90
Kalamazoo, MI
Lily Kanipe proves that age truly is just a number. At 90 years young, Lily keeps the members in her SilverSneakers® class laughing and enjoying fitness.
Friends describe Lily as the “true definition of living life to the fullest,” making her a perfect choice as the 2026 SilverSneakers Member of the Year Inspiration award winner.
“What inspires me to keep active is my body that tells me whatever age you are you can do it,” she says. “Age is just a number so do the best you can to maintain body, mind and spirit. Keep a positive attitude.”
Lily’s “enthusiasm is contagious, and she reminds us all that fitness should be enjoyable,” says Megan Haan, one of Lily’s fitness instructors.
During her many years volunteering at a local hospital, Lily would dress up in seasonal costumes bringing cheer to patients. She has continued this tradition in her SilverSneakers classes. From Uncle Sam, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, a leprechaun, even Mrs. Doubtfire, the costumes inspire a healthy dose of humor.
“I like to clown around a lot,” Lily says. “Dressing up for the holidays builds up the spirit in class.”
While Lily loves making people laugh, she’s also proud of how exercise has changed her own life. She says the classes have “helped my strength, which was weak, and most of all my balance. I had a hard time with that.”
Her consistent attendance in class shows that “age doesn’t matter when fitness is involved,” says her friend Stephen Pacic. “[Lily] is a lovable young-at-heart lady who is extremely admired and truly loved by all.”
Lily’s positive spirit has inspired those around her through life’s challenges. After surviving cancer and caring for her husband before his passing, Lily continued to show up for herself and others, prioritizing her health while finding ways to bring joy to those around her.
Lily’s kindness extends to everyone she meets. New participants quickly feel welcomed because Lily makes a point to learn their names and get to know them. “She makes a friend out of everyone she meets,” says Colleen Valkema, one of Lily’s fitness instructors. “Honestly, she is the heart of our classes.”
Whether she’s attending classes or staying active at home and in the community, Lily encourages those around her to make fitness a priority in daily life.
“Lily proves that staying active is about so much more than exercise — it’s about building friendships, spreading joy and living each day with purpose and gratitude,” says Haan.
Lily’s goal moving forward is to keep going to classes. “I’m not slowing down,” she says. “It makes me feel alive.”
Stay tuned for videos featuring the 2026 Winners!
Recognizing the inspiring Member of the Year 2026 award honorees
Jacqueline Claire, 72 – San Luis Obispo, CA
Jacqueline turns challenge into purpose – by land and sea. As a proud member of a competitive dragon boat racing team of cancer survivors, she digs deep with paddles and grit, inspiring many with her resilience. When she’s not boating or kayaking, Jacqueline’s perseverance is measured by miles of hiking trails and daily walks in the High Sierra Nevada Mountains. She stays centered and strong with daily Yoga, plus resistance training and cardio.
Diane Darr, 71 – Green Springs, OH
Diane successfully transformed sedentary habits into an active and inspired way of life. Through regular functional fitness classes and training at her gym, and a supportive community, Diane has gained strength, balance, flexibility, endurance, mobility, improved sleep, higher energy levels, and better management of chronic health conditions. She is a powerful example that reclaiming health, confidence, and community through healthy change is possible at any age.
Edwin Smith, 72 – Baton Rouge, LA
Following severe congestive heart failure, Edwin regained strength by practicing pickleball. Wearing 7 lbs. of batteries and a mini computer to keep his heart pumping, he won the silver medal in pickleball at the 2025 National Senior Games. The greatest prize of all – Edwin was strong enough to qualify for a long-awaited heart transplant. He humbly hopes to inspire others to live life to the fullest, against all odds.
Matt Tenny, 66 – Severance, CO
Matt says “Yes!” to every adventure, including biking across Missouri twice, climbing 8 of Colorado’s highest peaks, and always setting his eyes on the next challenge. When he’s not trekking across Rocky Mountain National Park on foot and on wheels, Matt keeps up his conditioning with SilverSneakers and water aerobics, senior softball league and pickleball – all while making time to umpire for his local little league.