BRISTOL, Conn., Sept. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys
& Girls Clubs of America, the nation's leading youth non-profit
organization, recognized Brianna P. as its 2021 National Youth of
the Year during a virtual ceremony, surrounded by honorable Boys
& Girls Clubs alumni, teens and supporters last night.
Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier
recognition program for Club teens. As the highest honor a Club
member can receive, the National Youth of the Year represents Boys
& Girls Clubs of America and the voices of over four million
Club youth it serves. For 74 years, the Youth of the Year program
has recognized young people for their outstanding leadership,
service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy
lifestyle. This year, the Youth of the Year program will award
nearly half a million in scholarships to Club teens.
Toyota and Mondelez International are proud sponsors of the
Youth of the Year program. As a part of Toyota's dedication to
providing youth with access to tools they need to build a great
future, Brianna will have the opportunity to hand-pick a brand-new
Toyota Corolla, in addition to her $72,500 scholarship.
"Everybody has the ability to make the right decision, but
sometimes they need a positive influence to guide them in the right
direction." - Brianna,
2021-2022 National Youth of the Year.
Brianna was first introduced to the Boys & Girls Club of
Bristol at age nine, timid and
unsure of what the future held for her. After being born into a
situation that created an addiction to drugs at birth, Brianna grew
up much faster than many of her peers. Determined to take charge of
her future, it was through the Club that she immediately found a
safe environment with positive influences among Club staff to
remind her of her full potential. Now, she's resolved to change the
narrative for kids and teens who may be facing similar or unique
challenges.
Though Brianna quickly connected with many Club members, she
became particularly close with her teen director who encouraged her
to join Club activities.
From elementary to high school, Brianna has spent her
after-school time involved in Club programming, from her early days
earning robotics awards to joining the Keystone teen leadership
program, the Boys & Girls Clubs supported and empowered
Brianna's passions.
Brianna credits her experience at the Club with her ability to
open up and better communicate with her peers. It also instilled in
her a deep passion for community engagement. "As Club members, we
are all expected to understand the meaning and the impact it brings
to our community," said Brianna.
Brianna's passion for the community continued to deepen through
every activity she joined at the Club. In fact, this led to her
aspiration for a career that truly made a difference in the lives
of others; a social worker. She wants to spend her life offering to
others what she needed most throughout childhood and found at her
Boys & Girls Club -- positive guidance and
support.
Each year, starting on the local level, Boys & Girls Clubs
select Youth of the Year candidates who then progress to state and
regional competitions, culminating with the National Youth of the
Year Celebration, which features youth from each of the five
regions, as well as the National Military Youth of the Year.
Regional finalists are awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships.
As National Youth of the Year, Brianna will serve as an official
spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its Alumni
& Friends Club. Brianna will also have the opportunity to
integrate herself as a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's
Agenda for America's Youth, a policy platform focusing on critical
issues and solutions impacting young people.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program,
visit www.youthoftheyear.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a
safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring
adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth
development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school
hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic
success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
More than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.3 million young people through
Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in
cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the
country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth
Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls
Clubs of America
on Facebook and Twitter.
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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America