Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Youth of the Year (YOY) program honors Club members for outstanding achievement and personal excellence. Sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation, the program rewards exceptional young people with college scholarships for their contributions to family, school, community and Club.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is very proud of all the YOY finalists," says BGCA President Roxanne Spillett. "These are all wonderful young people, and we look forward to witnessing their achievements in the years to come."

The 2004 national YOY winner, Mieasha Hicks of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, Ohio, will receive a $10,000 scholarship from Reader's Digest. Judges for the competition were Jean Case, The Case Foundation; Michael Lewellen, BET-TV; Brian Stafford, a retired U.S. Secret Service agent; Greg Toppo, USA Today; and Rasheen Coleman, former Youth of the Year, 1996.


National (Midwest) YOY Winner: Mieasha Hicks

If one word could describe Mieasha Hicks it would be survivor. Her parents were just teenagers when she was born, and she was often moved between households as the family grew. Being the oldest of seven children, Hicks had no choice but to mature quickly. Today, she helps her siblings with their homework and prepares them for exams. Thanks to her efforts, all her brothers and sisters are honor students.

Despite dealing with so much responsibility at an early age, Hicks was able to relax and just be a kid at her neighborhood Boys & Girls Club in East Toledo, Ohio. The Club also gave Hicks a place to learn valuable career and leadership skills. As vice president of the Keystone Kops-Keystone Club, she learned how to organize special events and market her cause to supporters through bake sales and other fundraisers. As an after-school homework tutor, Hicks also gave her time to other Club members in the Power Hour program.

At Central Catholic High School, Hicks was an academic standout and member of the National Honor Society, not to mention a singer in the school choir and a student council representative. Hicks is currently attending Bowling Green University, where she is studying for a career in medicine.

"When I think about the alternatives that I could have become involved with, I am glad I chose to spend my time at the Club," Hicks says. "A lot of my peers made bad choices, and I feel that I have the definite advantage. I have always felt safe at the Club. It's a place where I can have an impact on other people's lives, and they can impact mine."