President Bush welcomes the five YOY finalists, BGCA President Roxanne
Spillett and Lorraine Howerton, BGCA’s senior vice president of Government
Relations, to the Oval Office at the White House. The commander in chief
also presented President’s Volunteer Service Awards to each of the
finalists. |
Hundreds of Boys & Girls Club members sought to be National
Youth of the Year, but only one could be declared the winner. The U.S. Congress
gave him a standing ovation. President Bush recognized him for his
leadership and volunteer efforts. Even as he received all this national attention,
Stacey Walker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, knew that he wouldn’t be receiving
these
honors if it wasn’t for his Boys & Girls Club.
“It is important to know that we observe not the accomplishments of one
individual, but rather the accomplishments of communities filled with good
people,” said Stacey, on being named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s
2006-07
National Youth of the Year at the annual Congressional Breakfast on Sept. 21
in Washington, D.C.
Stacey and the four other regional Youth of the Year finalists are proof that
mentors
and positive relationships with caring adults are critical to young people’s
success.
Through dedicated communities, family support and guidance from youth
development professionals, young people can become strong leaders and achieve
success. This year’s finalists have also been inspired to make a difference
in their
communities by reaching out to others.
Prior to the rigorous judging process, the finalists spent a week in D.C.,
attending many exciting events, including a Washington Nationals baseball game
and a live taping of the Today show. The highlight? A visit to the White House,
where each received a President’s Volunteer Service Award for selfless
contributions
to their communities.
Stacey Walker
|
Stacey Walker lost his mother at the age of 4, but the wisdom and strength
of his
grandmother carried him through, shaping him into a stellar young man.
The Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also provided means for Stacey
to excel. He started out as a member, but quickly transitioned into a mentor
and
Club staffer. Through Passport to Manhood, a program that teaches boys about
living responsibly, he helped others escape their dim surroundings to pursue
brighter goals.
“The Club taught me to work harder to get through my situation, rather
than
to make excuses,” says Stacey. “I am now able to help other youngsters
going
through the same struggle.”
In addition to playing football at Washington High School, Stacey excelled
in academics, and participated in student government and the debate team. He
was presented with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award and selected as a member
of the National Council on Youth Leadership.
Stacey also founded and coached the Student Athlete Mentoring program, through
which he and other athletes mentored at-risk youth in the areas of sportsmanship,
academics and everyday life.
Currently a freshman at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Stacey is studying
business law.
Alyse Eady |
Alyse Eady has a gentle heart, but the strength of a lion. At
the age of 4, Alyse took
care of her mother, who battled lupus and other debilitating
diseases. Four years
later, she began caring for her father, who experienced sight
impairment, along with
skin and organ damage, following an allergic reaction to a prescription
drug.
At the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club in Arkansas, Alyse found comfort
and
mastered her leadership abilities. As a dedicated volunteer for
Power Hour, a
homework assistance program, she helped younger members reach
their academic
goals. Alyse taught cheerleading and used her performance talents
to headline local
and national Club events.
“Club staff showed a genuine interest in my life by providing recreation
and
companionship,” says Alyse. “They taught me that life is a series
of experiences that
can build character, and if obstacles are what you get, then
you should walk boldly
through them.”
Alyse’s commitment to serving others led to her becoming the first
African-American Miss Teen Arkansas. She also received the Dr.
Martin Luther
King Community Service Award and was recognized by President
Bush for
volunteerism in 2004.
She maintained a 3.5 GPA and was inducted into the National Honor
Society
and Future Business Leaders of America. Alyse is pursuing a public
relations
degree at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark.
|
Stacey Walker is the 60th person
to be named BGCA’s
National Youth of the Year. Sponsored by the Reader’s Digest
Foundation, the Youth of the Year program recognizes outstanding
contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Club;
academic excellence; and personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
The 2006-2007 winner was announced at the annual Congressional Breakfast
in Washington, D.C., where prominent legislators from both sides
of the aisle were moved by the finalists’
presentations about their struggles and triumphs.
Thanks to the Reader’s Digest Foundation’s longtime, generous support,
hundreds of youth have been able to attend college. As National Youth of the
Year, Stacey received $26,000 in scholarships. The other four national finalists
were awarded $11,000 each.
Judges for this year’s competition included Michael Smith, social investment
manager for The Case Foundation and the 1995 Northeast Youth of the Year; Barbara
Kantrowitz, senior editor, Newsweek; and Sari Horwitz of The Washington Post. |
Thank
You, Reader’s Digest!