NATIONAL YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Shonnetta Henry
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Colo.

Raised in a shattered household, Shonnetta Henry is determined to provide a strong foundation for her family. She teaches her younger sister and two brothers morals and values, provides for their well-being, brings in financial resources and carries the responsibility of guiding her siblings to a better way of life.

At the George M. Wilfley branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver – where she has been a member for five years – Henry is a Junior Staffer, the president of the Keystone Club (a leadership group for teen members), a teacher for the Words Can Heal program (teaching members the power of language), and a participant in the Ink About It poetry writing and performance group. She also enjoys helping younger Club members with their homework.

A graduate of Denver’s East High School, Henry was active in the Black Student Alliance, the varsity speech team, the East Theatre Company, among others, while maintaining a rigorous academic schedule that included advanced placement and accelerated courses. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring artistic forms of expression through poetry and dance. Henry currently attends the University of New Mexico, majoring in child psychology.

SOUTHEAST REGION YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Felicia Arriaga
Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, Hendersonville, N.C.

Felicia Arriaga has overcome many obstacles in her young life. Having faced many difficult family situations, she has taken it upon herself to protect her younger brother and sisters. When others don’t expect anything from her, Arriaga tackles the toughest challenges with great ambition, generosity and humility.

A member of Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County since she was in second grade, Arriaga has a long record of service. She has played a leadership role for several programs, such as Torch and Keystone Clubs (teen leadership and character development groups that emphasize community service). In fact, she guided her Keystone Club to the Gold Level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their work on helping the homeless in her community. In addition, Arriaga has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Hendersonville High School Invisible Children committee, which was created to inform the community about war and poverty in Uganda.

In high school, Arriaga was ranked 10th in her class, with a GPA of 4.6 and was a member of the National Honor Society. In 2007, she was selected to attend North Carolina’s elite Governor’s School, where she studied social science. She played softball throughout high school and also ran cross-country her senior year. Arriaga is currently attending Duke University, where she will pursue her goal of becoming a lawyer.

MIDWEST REGION YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Jamaal Phillips
Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, St. Louis, Mo.

Jamaal Phillips has been the main source of support in his household since 2006, when his mother was called into active duty for the U.S. Army. Although his father has been present, his abilities are limited due to four heart attacks and severe heart disease. Phillips has been responsible for running the household, taking care of his younger sister and an ill parent, all while attending school. Through it all, he maintained a 4.15 GPA at Hazelwood East High School, participated in extracurricular school activities and worked at Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club in St. Louis.

At the Club, Phillips served as a sports and recreation program assistant and summer camp counselor. A 12-year member, he has participated in a variety of programs, including basketball and Keystone Club.

One of his proudest moments as a Club member was helping to restore local New Orleans Clubs after Hurricane Katrina. Weeks before traveling to New Orleans, Phillips worked the phones to collect athletic equipment, board games and supplies to help clean and restock teen centers at storm-devastated Clubs.

Phillips attends the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and plans to pursue a career in industrial technology.

NORTHEAST REGION YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Naquasia Pinchback
Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, N.Y.

Naquasia Pinchback is a charming, unassuming young woman, whose quiet demeanor masks a strong, energetic and generous spirit and a dedication to the community.

As a member of the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln House, Pinchback shares her love for learning through involvement in various programs. She created an innovative math tutoring system for students in grades one through six. In addition, she implemented an online program, Smart Tutor, to assist younger Club members with general studies. Because of her commitment to the Club, she became a Junior Staff member and served as a mentor for many youth.

In her community, Pinchback is a dedicated volunteer, participating alongside the town mayor in the Glen Cove Beautification Project, and helping at various soup kitchens. Trained in contemporary dance and ballet, Pinchback enjoys writing original poetry and song lyrics in her free time.

A graduate of Glen Cove High School, Pinchback consistently achieved academic excellence and maintained a 4.0 GPA. She was the co-editor of her high school newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the Select Chorale and World Culture Club.

The first female in her family to pursue a college degree, Pinchback currently attends St. John’s University, majoring in law and minoring in education.

PACIFIC REGION YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Ashley Turner
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area, Ore.

While growing up in a neighborhood dominated by gangs and the constant threat of violence, Ashley Turner was determined to set a positive course for her life. Seeking a nurturing environment, she boarded a city bus one day and rode for 1 ½ hours, away from her neighborhood, until she saw the familiar Boys & Girls Club logo. She rode that same route – 90 minutes each way – nearly every day for the next six years, immersing herself in all that Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area had to offer.

Turner quickly became involved in several Club programs, including Keystone Club, a character and leadership development group for teens with an emphasis on community service, and Junior Staff, which teaches career skills. She further developed her leadership skills through countless hours leading, teaching and mentoring younger Club members.

In addition to her Club involvement, Turner is dedicated to giving back to her community. She has volunteered at the local food bank, in clean-up events and for Doembecher Children’s Hospital. She also takes time to talk with kids at the Club about the importance of giving back.

A graduate of Wilson High School, she currently attends Portland Community College, with plans for a career in youth development.

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