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 and U.S. military bases abroad, chosen for academic excellence and service to home, Club and community.

Chelsea Bower
Virginia

Chelsea Bower, an eight-year member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, has been named the Youth of the Year for the state of Virginia by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

Bower is a leader in both of her families. She lives with her mother and often visits her father and his family. She helps balances her mom’s home by assisting with household duties and preparing meals when her mother works long hours. In her father’s home, she is a role model to her younger step sisters.

Her family describes her as “special and a friend.” The Club also cherishes Bower and her willingness to attend the Club daily. The only time she is absent from the Club is when she is sick or involved in another extracurricular activity.

Unlike many teens, Bower is fearless when it comes to participating in new Club activities. She is involved in a host of activities including hockey, basketball, computers, jump rope competitions and choir. She holds a position as Junior Staff member and loves to plan and implement activities for the other members. The younger kids admire her friendly attitude and positive manner with which she approaches conflicts and tedious tasks, such as homework.

When Bower faced difficult family times, she leaned on the Club to support and encourage her and often thanks them for “saving her life.” Bower is also a true asset to her local community. She participates in the local Relay-for-Life program on the Virginia Peninsula, where she helps set up and oversee an all-night rally in support of breast cancer awareness.

Her involvement in the Boys & Girls Club’s Keystone Club has granted her opportunities to help her community in beautification projects and senior citizens activities. She attends Woodside High School in Newport News, Va. and is a well-rounded student who is involved in orchestra, student government and violin. Not only is she quite involved, she also holds a 4.18 GPA and has received numerous academic and music honors.

When she graduates in 2009, Bower plans to attend Liberty University in hopes of pursuing a career as a marine biologist.

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. This program was founded 61 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

"The Reader's Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947," said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader's Digest Foundation. "For more than 60 years, 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.