4 minute read
Journey to the Stars
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley serves as one of the critical interventions in the lives of thousands of youth in our Valley communities. Many Club youth and teens are navigating rough roads at home and consider the Club to be their second home and safe space.
Each Youth of the Year (YOY) has faced challenges and hardships that most of us have never, and will never experience, especially at their age. They’ve watched their families struggle with loss, violence, poverty, and more. With the support of our Clubs’ Youth Development Professionals, these teens have worked hard to not let these situations hold them back from accomplishing their goals and becoming leaders in their community.
Every year, each Club works to identify exceptional teens who embody the traits that Boys & Girls Clubs work to instill in each of our 13,000+ members. Youth of the Year Candidates are selected based on service leadership in the areas of home and family, character, community service, Club service, academic and life goals, along with written essays on Club Experience, Vision for America’s Youth, and Personal Brand. In addition, candidates are judged on poise, self-confidence, and public speaking. Once selected, these teens begin a life-changing journey. They are challenged to explore their personal history, formative experiences, finding meaning in their talents and challenges, and sharing those with the world in only a 3-minute speech.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Youth of the Year program requires a strong commitment from each candidate. We set high expectations for our members, especially candidates for this program. Through the Youth of the Year program, candidates have the opportunity to develop their writing and presentation skills as well as engage in specialized workshops designed to help them find their unique “voice” and story to share with our prestigious judging panel.
These are just 10 outstanding Youth of the Year representing the 13,000+ youth we serve.
In January, our Youth of the Year candidates shared their powerful stories with friends, family, and Boys & Girls Clubs staff at the Celebrating Youth Event. Each teen presented their final speeches to an esteemed panel of judges and had the opportunity for a one-onone meeting with each of them as part of the judging process.
We hope that you will enjoy the stories of courage, resilience, compassion, kindness, and hope from these extraordinary teens. Thanks to your generosity tonight, each of these teens has the opportunity to pursue their dreams!
The 2021-2022 Youth of the Year Journey is led by committed and caring team members – Branch Director Kendra Estle of the Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch; College Access & Success Manager Yvette Medina; Branch Director Kate Toci from the Jerry Colangelo Branch; and Branch Director Eric Watkins of the Swift Kids Branch.
Youth of the Year Styling
Part of our Youth of the Year journey includes a special shopping trip to select dresses and suits for the upcoming formal events.
Our sincere thanks to Travis Anglin and Barry Schoeneman from Men’s Apparel Club for providing expert styling for our candidates. Becky McHolland and Corinna Munson also assisted with styling, along with the support of Dedee Hale at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s Macy’s.
Vakentae Cooks: 2021 Arizona State Youth of the Year Winner Update
In February 2021, Vakentae Cooks earned the title as the 2021 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Youth of the Year. From there, he went on to participate in the Arizona Youth of the Year program. He performed well and became the Arizona State Youth of the Year.
I could grow into a writer, a designer and most importantly, a place where I was free to be me.”
— Vakentae Cooks, 2021 Youth of the Year
Cooks graduated from Central High School in Phoenix last May and started his freshman year of college in the fall of 2021 at Prescott College. He is currently enrolled in their education program studying to be a secondary education English teacher and minoring in psychology. He plans on getting his master’s degree so he can work with Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and also aspires to work in foster care. He is still upholding that same Boys & Girls Club perseverance and shares that the Club has helped his ability to handle new situations. Vakentae still feels supported miles away.
“I wouldn’t be able to go to college or be where I am right now without the Boys & Girls Clubs.”
Technology gives kids the power to be curious. Our support gives them the confidence to
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2022 Youth of the Year
