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.

Whitney Sweetwine
Washinton, D.C.

Whitney Sweetwine, member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, has been named Youth of the Year for Washington, D.C., by BGCA.

When one thinks of leadership and service, Whitney Sweetwine is a true example. Coping with the sudden loss of her uncle from a senseless act of violence, Whitney faced academic challenges during her transition from middle school to high school. As the oldest of three, Whitney carries the torch of leadership at home and leads by example as she works diligently towards being great!

Whitney is a two-time Honor Society Award winner and an IB Diploma graduate recipient at Benjamin Banneker Academic Senior High School. Whitney is not only a leader in the Club, but also an outstanding leader at school. She is the organizer, host and facilitator at her high school’s annual Open House. She also serves as her high school and Boys & Girls Club representative at the District of Columbia Youth Only Hearings. Thanks to Whitney’s exemplary leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington – Richard England Clubhouse -- has established a partnership with Benjamin Banneker Academic Senior High School to provide a place for students to complete community service hours.

Graduating with a GPA of 3.5, Whitney has certainly raised the bar for her siblings. Whitney has been accepted to Howard University and will be entering as a pre-med student this fall. This summer, Whitney will be interning at the Vice President’s Office of the White House.

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.