BGCA | Youth Of The Year

OUTSTANDING LAGRANGE TEEN NAMED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA YOUTH OF THE YEAR


	Demetrice Tuttle Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year 2007-2008

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 19, 2007 – Today during a Congressional Breakfast, co-hosted by Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Steny Hoyer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced that Demetrice Tuttle, a six-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of West Georgia, has been named the 2007-2008 National Youth of the Year.

Tuttle and the four other national finalists were feted by a list of Who’s Who in politics and business, including Regina Schofield, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs; Rick Goings, CEO of Tupperware Brands Corporation and chairman of the board for BGCA; and Jacqueline Parkes, senior vice president, Advertising and Marketing, and Tom Brasuell, vice president of Community Affairs, both with Major League Baseball.

In addition to the title, Tuttle receives an additional $15,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation and meets the President of the United States in the Oval Office following the Congressional Breakfast. Eva Dillon, president and Group Publisher, Reader's Digest Association, presented the award and scholarship.

Judges for this year’s National Youth of the Year competition included Larry Clark, long-time BGCA supporter; Dan Ephron, Newsweek; Schofield; Marcia Rockwood, Reader’s Digest; Laura Sessions Stepp, The Washington Post. Speaking at the event were Senators Orrin Hatch, Patrick Leahy, Ted Stevens, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, as well as Assistant Attorney General Schofield.

The Youth of the Year program, which has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club; academic excellence; and personal challenges and obstacles overcome. Tuttle’s win culminates a year of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the program.

Charles Dharapak-AP

To kick off his role as National Youth of the Year, Tuttle and four other finalists meet with President Bush in the Oval Office. From left are: Reyniesha Sharp, Midwest Region Youth of the Year; Demetrice Tuttle, National Youth of the Year; President Bush; Brittny Cantero, Southwest Region Youth of the Year; Gino Binkert, Northeast Region Youth of the Year; Sasha Andersen, Pacific Region Youth of the Year; and BGCA President and CEO Roxanne Spillett.

“I’m very proud of Demetrice and all that he has accomplished,” said Roxanne Spillett, BGCA president and CEO. “Every one of these young men and women are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs close the gap between hope and opportunity.”

In order to compete for this prestigious national honor, Tuttle, as well as the four others, garnered the Youth of the Year title at their respective local, state and regional levels. The four additional finalists were Sasha Andersen, Bullhead City, Ariz.; Gino Binkert, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Brittny Cantero, Wharton, Texas; and Reyniesha Sharp, Alton, Ill.

The Reader’s Digest Foundation awarded each state finalist a $1,000 college scholarship and each regional finalist a $10,000 college scholarship.

Tuttle appreciates and understands his purpose in life. From a very young age he had a desire to set a positive example for others. When his mother was diagnosed with cancer, Tuttle rose to the occasion by helping take care of his younger brother and household duties. He knew then that he was destined to be a leader.

Tuttle joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Georgia and continued to flourish as a determined young leader. He became president of the Keystone Club, leading his peers in various clean-ups and community rallies. Tuttle also developed his love of helping others through speech and performance, resulting in several speaking opportunities for the Club’s special events, United Way and appearances on local TV programs. He also served as a Junior Staffer, Power Hour tutor and mentor to at-risk teens in the REAL to Reel Teen Talk Show. Through this show, Tuttle encourages teens to graduate from high school and pursue a post-high school education.

Tuttle graduated from Troup County High School in 2007, where he was involved in Student Council, Drama Club and the Academic Bowl Team. Because of his exemplary grades and behavior, the principal chose Tuttle to be manager for the school’s supply store and as a mentor to at-risk students. This fall, Tuttle is pursuing a degree in political science at LaGrange College, in hopes of furthering his commitment to public service.

“Each year, seeing youth like Demetrice win the national title and meeting all of the amazing finalists make us extremely proud of our involvement with the Youth of the Year program,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director of the Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled to be celebrating our 60th anniversary of the program with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and wish all of the teens a bright and prosperous future.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.