Celebrate the Youth of the Year at the Legacy of HOPE Event

On February 25, 2010 the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound (BGCSPS) will be honoring the Youth of the Year candidates at the second annual Legacy of HOPE dinner. The Youth of the Year Program is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier youth recognition program and the highest honor a 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. Once a member has been named Youth of the Year for their Branch they will move onto the local competition where they will be graded by judges on things such as poise, life goals, and community involvement. This year the BGCSPS has nominated 7 outstanding Club Youths of the Year, representing each Branch to compete for the 2010 Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound title:

• Kainen Bell, Stadium High School, Al Davies Branch
• Nicole Cason, North Mason High School, North Mason Branch
• Kareem Dixon, Wilson High School, East Side Branch
• Jacque-Lynn Freeman, Insight Online School, Lakewood Branch
• Jared Marshall, Tacoma Community College, D.A. Gonyea Branch
• Raynisha Parker, Spanaway Lake High School, South Pierce County Branch
• Christopher Thomas, Lincoln High School, South End Branch

After their packets have been reviewed and upon completion of a rigorous round of interviews and speeches, the judges will pick a winner on the 24th, who will be formally announced before family, supporters, and community leaders at the Legacy of HOPE event the next night on the 25th. Lt. Governor Brad Owen will serve as the master of ceremonies. The evening will also mark the kickoff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound’s 2010 BE GREAT For Kids Annual Fund Drive. Steve Maxwell, President of the South Puget Sound District for KeyBank and honorary chairman for the fund drive will be in attendance. Owen and Maxwell will be joined by our distinguished panel of judges for the Youth of the Year competition:

• Dave Colombini, Director, Office of School and Family Support, South Kitsap School District
• Effenus Henderson, Chief Diversity Officer, Weyerhaeuser
• Carol Mitchell, Director of Human Resources, Port of Tacoma
• Linda Owen, Director, Strategies for Youth
• Patricia Spakes, Chancellor, University of Washington – Tacoma
• Marilyn Strickland, Mayor, City of Tacoma
• David Zeeck, President and Publisher, The New Tribune

The event is designed to showcase each Youth of the Year and allow the top 3 candidates to give their speeches and talk about the impact the Club has had on their lives. From this point the winner will progress to the State level where they will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship and a chance to advance to the Regional level. Regional winners receive a $10,000 scholarship and enter the National competition held in Washington DC. The National Youth of the Year recipient receives and additional $15,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States. We hope this years’ Youth of the Year will follow in the footsteps of 2009 Youth of the Year Christney Kpodo, who went on to win the State and Pacific Region titles, giving her the opportunity to met President Obama in Washington D.C. at the national competition. Christney is living proof that the Boys & Girls Clubs truly takes kids from the Club House to the White House.

The Legacy of HOPE event is about one thing, showcasing our youth. Each candidate represents the true meaning of what the Clubs stand for and how they ultimately have positive and lasting affects on the lives of those who are involved. It is the perfect opportunity for community members to see first hand the profound effects that this organization is having on the lives of their youth. On this special evening it is the goal of the BGCSPS to make each and every candidate feel appreciated, special, and honored for their community involvement, participation at school, and ability to set a positive example to other Club members. This competition is vital because the young people who earn recognition as the Youth of the Year are living proof that the Boys & Girls Clubs work. Truly, there is no stronger testimony that Clubs are indeed, “The Positive Place for Kids.” Come be a part of an organization that cares about one thing: making anything and everything possible for our most valuable natural resource, our youth.

The Legacy of HOPE Celebrating our Youth of the Year

• Thursday, February 25, 2010
• 5:30-8:00 pm (5:30 pm Registration & Social, 6:30 pm Dinner & Program)
• Hotel Murano (1320 Broadway Plaza Tacoma, WA 98402)
• Tickets are $45 per person. Please RSVP by February 18, 2010

For more information on The Legacy of HOPE, Celebrating our Youth of the Year visit www.bg-clubs.com or call 253.502.4600 to RSVP or inquire about our sponsorship opportunities. We hope to see you there!

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