Selected among several local outstanding youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-Valparaiso Unit member, Ebonè Ivory, was named 2014 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. Ivory will travel to our state capitol March 10 – 11, 2014 and compete against other Boys & Girls Clubs members for the Indiana State Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. As the 2014 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, 15-year old Ivory is recognized for her perseverance, leadership skills, and commitment to Club and community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Clubs member can receive. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and their Boys & Girls Club organization, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are living proof that GREAT Futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
Eboné exemplifies a strong moral fiber which influences not only her decisions, but also the decisions of all around her. She is a great example for all peers and adults whom she encounters. While she may not realize it in her daily life, her positive example and ability to work through difficult situations encourages everyone she comes into contact with to look at challenges with positive attitudes. A member of her high school dance team, Ebonè faces a unique challenge as the only African-American on the team. Rather than masking her differences, she has an open line of communication with her team talking about prejudices she has overcome. “It takes incredible maturity to be able to speak about a topic that is so often taboo and uncomfortable but needs to be addressed,” states Molly Phelps, coach of the Vikettes Dance Team. “Eboné’s empathy for others and ability to open lines of communication on sensitive subjects is a unique trait, especially for a freshman in high school.”
A freshman at Valparaiso High School, Ebonè’s goal is to attend Emory College in Atlanta where she intends to study Psychology to become a psychiatrist and Teen Intervention Specialist. She plans to use her education helping young men and women who are going through difficult times.
If Ivory wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County Units in Valparaiso, South Haven, and Portage each selected equally talented Club members to represent their Club and compete for the Youth of the Year honor for the organization. Tyler Goodman is the South Haven Unit’s Youth of the Year and Sanja Kirova won Youth of the Year for the Forrest L. “Dusty” Rhode Portage Unit.
United Way of Porter County President Sharon Kish, Aylesworth Elementary Principal Debbra Slack, and Executive Director of Duneland Chamber of Commerce Heather Ennis served as judges for the Youth of the Year competition - all commenting on the difficult task it was to choose one Youth of the Year. Ultimately, the panel proudly chose Ebonè to represent our county in the upcoming competition(s), not doubting that Ebonè will rise to the occasion and show everyone what Porter County's finest can do!
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. The Clubs provide high quality programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.