BGCA's Youth of the Year:  The Best of the Best!

Read new profiles each week of Boys & Girls Club Youths of the Year from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and U.S. military bases abroad, chosen for academic excellence and service to home, Club and community.

Timothy Crawford
Tennessee

Timothy Crawford, member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, has been named Youth of the Year for the state of Tennessee by BGCA.

Although it hasn’t been easy, Timothy Crawford has soared in the face of adversity. In addition to the support he receives from his grandmother, he looks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee for positive guidance. As the man of the house, Timothy is setting a remarkable example for his younger sister. He works a part-time job to help support his family, as well as manages household responsibilities. From helping his sister with her homework to reminding his grandmother to take her medicine, Timothy sees his family as a team.

In addition to serving his family, Timothy has been active in Boys & Girls Clubs for over 12 years. As his second home, he has volunteered during many summer months by cleaning the Club, helping teach kids about healthy lifestyles with the Commit to be Fit program, and serving as a chaperone on special field trips. He has also participated in Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service.

Involvement in many service clubs, jazz bands and church choirs has helped Timothy stay on this path to success. He has served his community by donating blood for The Red Cross of Middle Tennessee, assisting with clothes and food drives, and working with the “Hand on Nashville” mission.

As a recent graduate of Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School, Timothy has successfully completed both AP and Honors classes while also participating in the school’s highest level jazz band as an award-winning vocalist. Now that his high school days have passed, Timothy is overjoyed to achieve his dream of attending college. He plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in the fall semester.

"I believe that Boys & Girls Club is a beautiful thing and a beautiful truth that has molded many lives, including my own, and without that truth, I would not be who I am today."

More About the Youth of the Year Program
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. Since 1947, this program has been supported through the Reader's Digest Foundation.

"The Reader's Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program for more than 60 years," said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader's Digest Foundation. "Since 1947, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens for their dedication to their families, Club and community, and for helping them achieve their academic and career goals."

"All Youth of the Year nominees offer proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO, BGCA. "We are thankful to the Reader's Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our Youth of the Year program and for helping Club members reach their goals."

Regional winners are awarded a $10,000 college scholarship and advance to the national competition in Washington. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

As the founding sponsor of the Youth of the Year program, the Reader's Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million to BGCA's leadership program, and 61 teens have been selected as the National Youth of the Year.