Olympia, WA — A 12-year-old member of the Suquamish Tribe will be showing off her softball skills at the May 3 Mariners game where she will throw the ceremonial first pitch as part of an annual event during Foster Care Month.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announced Cheyanne as this year’s First Pitch Youth for We Are Family Day at T-Mobile Park. The honor is given to a child or youth in out-of-home care following a review of dozens of nominations from across the state.

Cheyanne’s foster dad, Allen Agor, nominated her because of the incredible progress she’s made in school and sports in the last 18 months and because of their shared love of baseball.

“Soon after Cheyanne joined our family, we took her to a Mariners game,” Agor said. “That is when she began ‘knocking it out of the park.’ Going to Mariners games remains one of her favorite activities and it is something that has really helped her connect with me.”

Allen, a Submarine Captain for the United States Navy, will be deployed for a large part of the 2026 Mariners Season. He noted that this event will be a great memory for him and Cheyanne before he leaves.

In addition to playing in a select softball league, Cheyanne enjoys school and stays connected with her siblings through facilitation from the Suquamish Tribe. Her Suquamish Tribal Child Welfare caseworker says they have witnessed Cheyanne's growth, resilience, and strength.

"Being selected to throw the first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game is a meaningful milestone that reflects how far she has come," said the caseworker. "Our team is incredibly proud of her and the confidence she continues to build, and we’re honored to stand alongside her community, cheering her on during this unforgettable moment."

For the past 18 years, in partnership with the Seattle Mariners, DCYF has celebrated foster parents and kinship caregivers during Foster Care Month in May. Foster Care Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care and to celebrate those who support them.

In Washington state, there are more than 4,200 licensed foster homes (this includes community foster and kinship homes) and more than 4,400 children and youth in out-of-home care.

“Families like the Agors continue to be a critical partner for DCYF by providing a safe landing place, while keeping kids connected to their culture and their community,” said DCYF Secretary Tana Senn. “Even though Washington has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of children and youth in foster care, we continue to need foster families and kinship caregivers to open their homes and their hearts.”

In addition to his service as a foster parent, the DCYF family thanks Allen for his military service to our country and wishes him a safe deployment and return.

The public can cheer on Cheyanne by purchasing tickets for the May 3 game.

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For Media Use: 2025 We Are Family Day B-Roll