Each year, Boys & Girls Club organizations across the country choose one teen to represent their Club as Youth of the Year (YoY). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. The YoY program locally honors the most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures.
“Being named Youth of the Year is the highest form of recognition a Boys & Girls Club member can receive,” said Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, Francisco Bueno. “All of our teen participants deserve it – they show up and make their community, inside and outside of Club, better every day.”
At Teen Turf Club on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 6:00 PM, prominent community members will judge the seven nominees, whose ages range from fourteen to seventeen years old, on a number of assignments. Assignments include a variety of essays, resume building, public speaking, and panel interviews. Nominees are part of a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service and are selected five months in advance to prepare for the program.
Fort Vancouver High School Junior, Olivia A. said, “I’m excited to do Youth of the Year again! Being in Club the last seven years has prepared me to have what it takes to win this year.”
The winning Club member will advance to Washington’s state Youth of the Year, followed by a regional program. Both YoY program nominees are eligible to win college scholarship funds. The culmination of those events ends with the chance at the title of National Youth of the Year. The national winner receives a $50,000 academic scholarship.
