BGCA | Youth of the Year

The Regional Youth of the Year finalists advance to the national competition, appearing before members of Congress and other dignitaries, in a ceremony held in their honor.


	Shonnetta Henry 2008-09 National Youth of the Year

A member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Shonnetta Henry is a natural leader.

Graduating from Denver’s East High School, Henry was active in the Black Student Alliance, the varsity speech team and the East Theatre Company.

She maintained an academic schedule that included five advanced placement courses and two accelerated courses. Additionally, she is a poet, dancer and caretaker for her younger sister and two brothers.

At her Boys & Girls Club, Henry was a Junior Staff member, president of the Keystone Club (a leadership group for teen members), a teacher for the Words Can Heal program (teaching members the power of language), and a participant in the Ink About It poetry writing and performance group. She also enjoyed helping younger members with their homework.

Henry is currently a freshman at the University of New Mexico, majoring in psychology.

In September 2008, Henry, along with four other Youth of the Year finalists, met President George Bush in the Oval Office as the first of many official duties as teen spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs.