Sibling Success: Bethalyn Kelly and Bobby Siarani Makes History

Bethalyn Kelly just made history alongside her brother, Bobby Siarani. They've become the first siblings in the Solomon Islands to both clinch the Pacific Regional Commonwealth Youth Award.

Fresh off her 2025 Pacific regional win, Bethalyn followed in Bobby's footsteps, who received the same honor back in 2019. This isn't just a coincidence; it's a testament to family support's powerful role in sparking innovation and driving community change.

Winning this prestigious award six years apart, their journey shouts the importance of mentorship and good old-fashioned family encouragement. Bethalyn openly admits Bobby ignited the fire under her passion for social change.

“I owe a lot to my elder brother, Bobby Siarani, who has been my biggest motivator. His guidance and leadership have taught my team and me to be innovative thinkers and positive changemakers in our community,” she said.

Bethalyn’s win also celebrates the collective efforts of her organization, Resilience Innovation and Social Change Girls Club (RISC-GC), which has been at the forefront of plastic recycling initiatives in the Solomon Islands.

Recognizing two siblings on the Commonwealth stage is a rare and outstanding achievement. For the Kelly-Siarani family, these awards are a source of immense pride, validating their commitment to community development and resilience.

“This achievement is a blessing to my family and an honor to represent the youth of the Solomon Islands. Winning the Pacific regional award out of 800 nominated projects is a privilege. It strengthens my belief in the power of youth leadership and community-driven initiatives,” Bethalyn said.

As president of RISC-GC, Bethalyn is dedicated to engaging young people—especially girls—in meaningful environmental projects. Working alongside her brother, she has helped secure funding to expand the initiative, ensuring its long-term impact.

The siblings’ dedication to community work is deeply rooted in the values instilled in them by their family. Growing up, they learned the importance of perseverance, consistency, respect, and service to others.

“Running a community-based organization voluntarily is not easy, but the drive to keep going comes from the values our parents and elder siblings taught us,” Bethalyn said.

While some might expect a sense of competition between the two award-winning siblings, Bethalyn said their journey has been about collaboration rather than rivalry.

“There’s no competition between us—only teamwork. The public sees the awards, but they don’t see the struggles and failures along the way. We share those setbacks and successes equally,” she said.

“I was hoping to win the overall Youth of the Year award to go a step beyond my brother, but I’m honored to receive the same recognition as him.”

Their collaboration extends beyond the awards. Bobby is the founder of RISC-GC, and Bethalyn has stepped up as its president. Their shared vision is to transform their plastic recycling project into a full-fledged recycling plant that converts PET plastic waste into eco-friendly construction materials.

“Our goal is to create sustainable solutions for plastic waste in the Solomon Islands. We want to turn waste into useful products for public and private infrastructure projects,” Bethalyn said.

“There are so many great ideas out there that only need action. Solomon Islands is rich with young talent and creativity—it’s time for youth to showcase their abilities and drive meaningful initiatives,” she said.

“My brother always pushed me and my siblings to take initiative. Looking back, his advice and support have paid off through this recognition. I encourage young people everywhere to collaborate in community development and businesses.”

Bobby Siarani said their joint success indicates an excellent potential for Solomon Islands youths to thrive.

“This award shows that our young people can compete globally and make a real impact. We need to provide them with the right environment and support to help them unleash their full potential,” Bobby said.

Each year, the Commonwealth Youth Awards celebrate young leaders worldwide for their significant contributions to their communities. Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands was chosen as the Pacific region finalist for addressing pollution.