Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County recently announced their 2016 Youth of the Year candidates and will celebrate their extraordinary achievements at the Youth of the Year Reception on March 3rd. Youth of the Year Candidates for Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County include Eric Allison, Duneland Club; Sanja Kirova, Portage Club; Tyler Goodman, South Haven Club; and Allison Thatcher, Valparaiso Club. Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier character and leadership program where Club members, ages 14-18, compete on state, regional, and national levels for Youth of the Year Titles.
“Youth of the Year participants embody the values, leadership, service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles; they exemplify the critical impact a Boys & Girls Club can have on the lives of young people,” states Ryan Smiley, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “I am very proud of our Club members Eric, Sanja, Tyler and Allison – and I am looking forward to the sharing of their stories of personal achievement at our upcoming Youth of the Year Reception.”
Through the Youth of the Year program, young people showcase their talents and achievements, share their hopes and dreams, and work toward a bright and positive future. The Youth of the Year program is an avenue whereby young people showcase their talents and achievements, share their hopes and dreams, and work toward a bright and positive future. Candidates emerge through year-round recognition programs in their local Clubs. They progress through state and regional events, culminating in a weeklong celebration in Washington, D.C. where one youth, nationwide, is named National Youth of the Year – the highest honor bestowed upon a Club member.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County will announce their 2016 Youth of the Year for the organization during a reception on March 3, 2016. The Youth of the Year Reception will be held at Valparaiso University’s Christopher Center from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County will not only celebrate the achievements of the four Youth of the Year Candidates, but will also kickoff their annual It Just Takes One Campaign. For more information on our Youth of the Year Reception, or to reserve attendance to the event, contact Stephanie Hamilton at (219) 464-7282, Extension 235 or via email at shamilton@bgcpoco.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County:
For more than forty years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County (bgcpoco.org) has enabled young people to achieve GREAT futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Four Club sites and nine Kidstop locations throughout Porter County serves nearly 5,000 young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County provides a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. When school is out, our Clubs are in! Learn more about membership, volunteer opportunities, or how to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County by contacting your local Club at (219) 464-7282, or by visiting bgcpoco.org, facebook.com/bgcpoco, and twitter.com/bgcpoco. Great Futures Start HERE.