The results are in and BGCSWVA has selected its Youth of the Year 2023!
Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.
In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone – especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. With a grassroots beginning in 1947, Youth of the Year has evolved into a comprehensive leadership development program.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia is proud to have selected Ashton from Eastern Montgomery High School as our 2023 Youth of the Year. Ashton is a junior who plans to attend Virginia Tech and study interior design. Ashton says “What has kept me to devoted to Boys & Girls Clubs is the positive relationships I have built with staff members, as well as the students. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia has been one of the most important factors in my development as a person. I truly respect all the people involved and all the time and effort they have devoted to this incredibly important cause. I also simply enjoy coming here.”
We are also so proud of Lily from our 9th Street Club who was selected as our 2023 Youth of the Year runner-up! Lily is in 8th grade at Fishwick and says “To me, Club is family, and family is very important to my lifestyle.”
Next, Ashton will head to Washington, DC for the statewide Youth of the Year Competition. Winners of the state competition receive a $2,500 scholarship. Best of luck to Ashton, and congratulations to Ashton and Lily on being named BGCSWVA’s 2023 Youth of the Year and Youth of the Year runner-up!