K. Reneé Overs Boys & Girls Clubs of America 404-487-5894 (work) 678-699-7796 (cell) rovers@bgca.org

Brian Hill Boys & Girls Clubs of America 404) 487-5798 (work) (404) 434-7039 (cell) bhill@bgca.org

 

 

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announces New 2009-10 Regional Youth of the Year Winners
Five outstanding teens heading to Washington, D.C., for national competition in September

ATLANTA – September 10, 2009 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is pleased to announce its five Regional Youth of the Year winners for 2009:

• Southeast – Aneka Billings, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast (Miss.)
• Northeast – Carolina Correa, Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket (R.I.)
• Midwest – LaQuita Grinnage, Boys & Girls Clubs of Great Milwaukee (Wis.)
• Pacific – Christney Kpodo, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound (Wash.)
• Southwest – Tony Spears, Boys & Girls Club of Bellville (Texas)

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. Each teen receives a $10,000 college scholarship from the Youth of the Year program’s founding sponsor, Reader’s Digest Foundation. Selected from dozens of other regional finalists, these five will now advance to BGCA’s National Youth of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., in September.

Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director of the Reader’s Digest Foundation said, “The Reader’s Digest Foundation believes that individuals realize their full potential through learning. For over 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens for their dedication to their families, Clubs and communities. It is our hope that this award will give these youth a head start on a promising and rewarding future and help them achieve their academic and career goals.”

Added BGCA President and CEO Roxanne Spillett, “All the Youth of the Year finalists offer living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people. 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.”

In addition to the $10,000 scholarship, each winner received $1,000 for winning the State Youth of the Year title. The teen named National Youth of the Year will be awarded an additional $15,000 scholarship and be installed by President Barack H. Obama during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

About The Winners

Aneka Billings
Although her childhood was plagued by domestic violence, paternal abandonment and alcoholism, Aneka Billings, 18, never gave up hope. Believing that education will help her break the cycle of poverty, she strives to excel academically.

An excellent role model, Aneka willingly shared her experiences with fellow members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast in hopes of providing encouragement and motivation. During her four years at the Club, she participated in the Keystone Club, a leadership and service group for teens, and organized several service initiatives, including a health and fitness day for younger members. She also led a project to ensure a joyous Christmas for children of incarcerated parents.

In high school, Aneka was a member of the National Honor Society and a drum major for the band. She was one of 13 students selected to be a member of the Tavis Smiley National Youth Advisory Council, where she provided advice on ways to engage other young Americans into making a difference in their communities.

Aneka is currently majoring in marketing and graphic communications at Alabama A&M University.

Carolina Correa
Born in Colombia, Carolina Correa, 19, came to the U.S. at age 12. She cared for an ill parent and younger brother, got a job to provide additional income for her family and took advanced placement courses – all while learning a new language.

For seven years, the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket helped Carolina make new friends, learn English and feel accepted. She found her niche in the Club’s aquatics program, and was named most valuable swimmer three times. She now serves as a swim instructor and coach.

Carolina has dedicated many hours to community service projects, including tutoring immigrants who were preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam. She also created a program to teach the basics of swimming to inner city youth.

In high school, Carolina mentored freshmen and was a tutor. She was also nominated to the City of Pawtucket’s Teen Hall of Fame, received the Rhode Island Presidential Student of the Year Award and was inducted into the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She graduated in the top 3 percent of her class.

An aspiring child psychologist, Carolina now attends Assumption College in Massachusetts.

LaQuita Grinnage
As the middle child of 14, LaQuita Grinnage, 18, has faced a host of challenges, including homelessness and poverty. While living in a shelter at age 10, she began attending the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. It was at the Club where, with the assistance of caring staff, LaQuita discovered her many talents and strengths.

Through leadership and community service programs such as Torch and Keystone Clubs, LaQuita learned about the importance of helping others. She also gained skills in organizing projects and motivating her peers. She utilized those skills to become a founding member of the Club’s acclaimed Sista Pride program, which teaches teen girls how to become responsible, mature and positive young women.

LaQuita has led many community service initiatives, including a project that generated awareness about the importance of donating blood to sickle cell patients. Before coming to the Club every day after school, she also volunteered at a children’s hospital.

Despite a lack of family support, LaQuita is committed to obtaining an education to create a brighter future for herself. She took advanced placement classes in high school, and participated in the Club’s college preparatory program.

A freshman at Tennessee State University, LaQuita plans to become a pediatrician.

Christney Kpodo
Christney Kpodo, 18, is the very epitome of grace under fire. She grew up in an environment marked by domestic violence, and alcohol and drug abuse. Through it all, Christney displayed remarkable selflessness and strength.

A member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound for four years, Christney participated in the Junior Staff program and became an active volunteer. She progressed from role model to mentor, and from tutor to leader. Through Club and school groups, she organized food and clothing drives. She also enjoyed participating in beautification projects at her Club.

In high school, Christney was a model student. As an Achievers Scholar, she represented Tacoma Public School students at school board meetings, and visited local middle schools to discuss the importance of obtaining an education, as well as strategies for preparing for college. Additionally, she attended advanced placement classes and served in student government.

A freshman at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state, Christney is studying psychology, with plans to pursue a career in family law.

Tony Spears
Before discovering the Boys & Girls Club of Bellville, Tony Spears, 18, did not have any direction in his life. The oldest boy of seven children in a single-parent household, he struggled with the deaths of friends and family members, and carried a heavy heart. Fortunately, the future began to brighten when Tony joined the Club in the sixth grade.

Tony credits his Club with shaping him into an ambitious, confident young man. At the Club, he took an active role in mentoring, organizing and building positive relationships. He assisted members with their homework, and set an example for others by helping with the Club’s day-to-day operations.

Tony devoted many hours of service to his Club, high school athletic department and church. He actively participated in Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas, Salvation Army fundraisers and senior citizen outreach programs, and encouraged his younger siblings to become involved as well. In high school, Tony led a peer-to-peer mentoring and mediation program to help classmates in difficult situations. He also organized a self-help group to teach important life skills to young people.

Currently a freshman at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Tony plans to pursue a career in radiology.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has helped kids "Be Great," providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most.  Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through Club membership and community outreach.  Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens.  Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives.  National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

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