NNSY Youth Center teen wins regional Military Youth of the Year competition

NNSY YOUTH CENTER TEEN WINS REGIONAL MILITARY YOUTH OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS COURTESY OF JANASIA UNDERWOOD 22 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JULY 2017

There is cause for celebration at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Youth Center after one of its teens, 17-year-old Janasia Underwood, was named Southeast Military Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle.

Underwood, a junior at Western Branch High School, competed against state winners from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in the Southeastern Regional Military Youth of the Year competition in June.

“Janasia and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are inspiring and enabling young people to achieve great futures,” said Jim Clark, Boys & Girls Clubs president and CEO. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the Virginia Military Youth of the Year, Janasia will serve as a spokesperson for our young people, sharing her inspiring story and leading the way to transform communities for the better.”

Now in its 71st year, the program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire.

“I wasn’t the military child who moved around a lot, I’ve been in this area my entire life,” said Underwood. Both of her parents were active duty Navy but have since left the service. “My parents were deployed several times, and being here at the center, I could relate to other kids who were going through the same things, but having this community really helped me, especially the staff. They’re not just here to watch you, they’re here to nurture you,” she said.

At her high school, Underwood served as Junior Class President and manager for her school’s drama department. At the youth center, which she’s attended for seven years, Underwood spends her time volunteering, tutoring, and serving as President of the Keystone Club.

The Youth Center is operated by NNSY’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division. It is through MWR’s partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs that NNSY’s youth program is able to offer both the Keystone Club and the Youth of the Year competition.

Much of the Youth Center’s other curriculum, from summer camps and sports to before and after school care, is modeled after Boys and Girls Clubs services. In addition to the Youth Center, NNSY MWR also provides a child development center for children ages six weeks to five years.

The shipyard’s child and youth programs provide important services to develop and support children as they navigate life in a military family.

Underwood learned about the Military Youth of the Year competition last year when one of her friends at the Youth Center participated in the program.

“I just really appreciated the concept behind it, and the idea that people wanted to know about my outlook on the world inspired me to apply,” she said.

“It’s a very rigorous process,” added Teen Program Manager Dyra Mabine. “It’s naturally competitive, and the year-long process is demanding, with a lot of different requirements from health and life skills to academics.”

At the regional competition, Underwood gave a speech in front of a panel of judges before being interviewed.

“I explain who I am as a person,” she said. “I talk about my military upbringing, but the biggest portion of the speech is about my vision for America’s youth, which is really focused on our current education system and how I would like to revamp things for the future.”

Underwood originally wanted to attend Stanford University after high school, but a chance encounter with a University of Virginia employee changed her mind.

“When I visited Charlottesville for the state competition, one of the judges inspired me to consider the great schools here in Virginia,” she said. “I wanted to go to California, but now I know I can get the same education here in Virginia.”

Along with UVA, Underwood is considering D.C.-area universities Howard and Georgetown, where she hopes to major in Sociology and Social Work so she can “be there for the kids who need her the most.”

Each state-level Military Youth of the Year earns a $5,000 college scholarship, and each regional Youth of the Year, including military finalists, receives a $10,000 college scholarship renewable for up to four years, totaling $40,000, which should help with that pricey private university tuition.

The National Youth of the Year receives a $25,000 scholarship that is renewable for up to four years, totaling $100,000. Underwood will compete for that title in September.

To her peers, Underwood offered this piece of advice: “Be 100 percent yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else,” she said.

“People say they can feel my passion and authenticity. And that’s what it’s all about; show people who you are. Stay grounded, and don’t let anyone rip you up from the roots.”

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