The Boys and Girls Club celebrated its inspiring Youth of the Year program on Thursday, October 17, featuring guest speaker John Hickman, vice president of business development for the Dallas Cowboys.
“For 75 years the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys,” according to the information provided at the program. “Stories of outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year the premier leadership and recognition for teens.”
Literature handed out at the banquet said, “Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in local, state, and regional Youth of the Year events. Six teens, including five regional winners and a national military youth winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year Celebration, where one outstanding young person is named Boys and Girls Club of American’s national teen spokesperson.”
Demyah Charles was selected for Youth of the Year.
“It’s an honor being picked,” Charles said. “It’s very emotional for me to know that out of a couple of teens that we had, they chose me.”
“She is a graduate of El Dorado High School, where she actively participated in numerous activities, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to the community, according to the information provided. Her contributions include serving in the Key Club, participating in Extreme Youth Programs, and being a member of the Steering Committee, Student Council,” .
Charles is a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and pursing a major in Psychology. She has a passion for helping others and plans to continue her education by obtaining a masters in Social Work after earning her bachelors degree. Charles ultimate goal is to become a therapist, but has the dream of attending law school in the future, according to the information provided.
Participants (Photo by Keturah Smith)
John Hickman, vice president of business development for Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Keturah Smith)
