Shanoah Washington has been named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast 2010 Youth of the Year!  A poet and spoken word artist from the Royal Theater Arts Academy, Shanoah will now go on to represent Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast in the State Competition.  Each local Club selects a Youth of the Year and those winners compete for the County title.  “The competition was very stiff this year, all the young people on the panel were strong and well deserving”, said Aaron McGlon, Vice President of Operations for BGCS.

The winner was announced at a Youth of the Year reception for candidates and their families, Youth of the Year judges, BGCS Board Member and staff on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the home of Kathy & Bob Guckenberger.

Congratulations to all the Club winners and Good Luck Shanoah!

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year Program

In Boys & Girls Clubs around the world, caring staff members encourage and support the Club members they serve.  Through this nurturing environment, many develop sound character, leadership abilities and the willingness to give back to their community. These are the qualities that make a Youth of the Year. They are also some of the most important qualities young people need to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

The National Youth of the Year program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier character and leadership initiative, recognizes outstanding contributions to a Club member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club: as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.

Participants are chosen on local and state levels, culminating with five regional winners meeting in Washington, D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year honor.

Since the program’s inception in 1947, each National Youth of the Year has met with the President of the United States to formally accept the award and begin a one-year term as the teen spokesperson for all Boys & Girls Club members.

The young people who earn recognition as Youth of the Year are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs work. Indeed, there is no stronger testimony that Clubs are truly “The Positive Place for Kids.”