This March, we held our first local “Youth of the Year” competition.
Nine middle school members presented personal statements and answered interview questions from a judging panel that scored their responses. The judging panel consisted of Board members Kara Fritz (Frederick County Workforce Services), Oscar Portillo (M&T Bank), Alysson DuPont (Middletown Valley Bank), and Matthew Graham (McNees Wallace & Nurick).
We are proud to announce our Junior Youth of the Year winners as Serenity (7-8th grade) and Tra’Maine (5-6th grade)! They each received a gift card thanks to support from Middletown Valley Bank, and a Boys & Girls Club em(brace)let from Colonial Jewelers in recognition of their accomplishments.
Here’s what Serenity had to say about her Club experience in her own words:
“Before I came to the Boys & Girls Club, I would just sit around the house miserable. I lived far away from my friends and I didn’t really like being around people. It affected my social anxiety and I wasn’t as physical because I wasn’t as active just around my house alone.
The Boys & Girls Club is a very important thing in my life and I am glad that I took that opportunity to join. I have learned important life skills like staying healthy, sticking up for yourself and noticing the little specks in your life that can turn into the most beautiful things in your life. My favorite thing about this Boys & Girls Club is that it accepts you for who you are and helps you be a better person and a better version of yourself. It showed me that you’re not just alone out in this world, and there is always someone supporting me for who I am.”
In his essay, Tra’Maine shared: “I am very grateful to be at the Boys & Girls Club because the adults here teach you about mental health and how to control your anger. Without being a member of the Club, I would never have these experiences and I am truly grateful.”
Our work wouldn’t be possible without dedicated community supporters like YOU, and we thank you for investing in our youth.