Boys & Girls Clubs of New Jersey name Youth of the Year
VINELAND -- Alexia Lewis, was selected among 18 outstanding youth and has been named the New Jersey Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey.
The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. As the New Jersey Youth of the Year, Alexia will serve as ambassador for all teens in the state, and will receive a $10,000 scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs in NJ (BGCNJ), as well as a $5,000 scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). As the state winner, Alexia will go on to compete in the regional Youth of the Year this summer, ultimately vying for the national title.
Arianna Skinner, hailing from the Fort Dix Youth Center, has been named the New Jersey Military Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey. As the new teen representative and one of three military youth finalists competing for the honor, Arianna Skinner will represent all members of BGCA-affiliated youth centers in New Jersey. She will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and a $3,500 college scholarship from the Boys & Girls Clubs in N.J.
This summer, Alexia Lewis and Arianna Skinner will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members within the Northeast Region. The regional winner will be awarded an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including five regional winners and the military youth winner, will advance to Washington, D.C., in September, to compete for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional $25,000 scholarship, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
Dionne Lassiter, age 16, from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Gloucester County, is among the 18 New Jersey high school students who will receive the Boys & Girls Club's Youth of the Year award.
Dionne describes her feelings about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County, "I love my Boys & Girls Club. The club is my second family and support system. When I am at the club I can be myself without judgement. The club has taught me how to grow into the woman I am supposed to be. I don't know where I would be without the Club."
Dionne is a sophomore at Glassboro High School where she has been on the Honor Roll. She has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Clubs for 11 years, six of which were at the Gloucester Club. Dionne is the vice president of the Keystone Club and the former president of the Torch Club. Dionne knows sign language and is an usher at her church. Her community service initiatives include feeding the homeless and raising money to combat various illnesses. Dionne will continue onto college to become a neonatologist.
Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey is an alliance of 23 Boys & Girls Club organizations serving over 70,000 youth ages 5-18 throughout the Garden State. Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey is a collaborative effort representing all 23 Clubs with the purpose of building local club capacity; raising public awareness; and securing resources and financial support to increase the impact and reach of local clubs. Learn more at www.bgcnj.org.
This item submitted by Kyle Evans of Rosica Communications.