• Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County Youth of the Year Dinner

Beginning in the fall, members from each local Club start working with a Club staff mentor on preparing for the Youth of the Year Program. The Youth of the Year program recognizes and seeks to celebrate those members who embrace & embody the characteristics of leadership and service, academic success, and healthy lifestyles. Mentors help each member with essay writing, as well as interviewing and public speaking skills, to showcase their achievements and development. Participants are presented with many opportunities to practice and hone their skills, in front of their peers, the public, and a panel of selected community judges. There is a Junior component to the program as well, where younger members can practice for a future run. Being named Youth of the Year is highest honor a Club member can achieve. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County Youth of the Year dinner will be held on Wednesday, January 25th, 2017, at 6:30pm in Mount Vernon at Eaglemont(4800 Eaglemont Drive Mount Vernon, Washington 98274). Attendees will hear new speeches from Youth of the Year candidates during a lovely dinner. The Youth of the Year awardees at the Club level are: Erin Huffstodt, Anacortes Boys & Girls Club Charles Baker, La Conner Boys & Girls Club Paula Banda, Sedro-Woolley Boys & Girls Club Each of these youth have earned a minimum of $375 in scholarship funds. The Skagit County Youth of the Year will earn a minimum of $1,000 and if they are named the Washington State YOY, they earn an additional $5,000. At the regional level, the scholarship is $40,000 over four years. The National Youth of the Year earns up to $200,000 ($50k a year) in scholarships, and in past years, have been provided a free Toyota car. Beyond prizes and scholarship funds, at each step of the way they meet influential people in the business industry, and ultimately, at the National Level: The President of the United States of America. The Youth of the Year program is something that drastically changes the lives of our Club members. It can assist a student into earning admission at prestigious Universities throughout the country, be leveraged to attain high-level summer internships and programs, and will provide the participant important life skills.