May 2009
Nia Miles, a member of the Nicetown Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, has been named the 2009
Youth of the Year representing Philadelphia. Nia will receive a $1,000 scholarship for
college and will represent Philadelphia at the
State Youth of the Year competition in Harrisburg. Sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation
and administered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, this national
program recognizes superior leadership skills, academic achievement, obstacles
overcome and outstanding service to Boys & Girls Clubs and the
community. This year’s local winners
were honored at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia Shining Stars Gala
on March 7 at the Diamond Club at Citizens Bank Park.
April 2008
A senior at Philadelphia High School for Girls,
Lady Ashley Byrd, has been a member at the Nicetown Boys & Girls Club for 3
years. Lady Ashley is an aspiring journalist and wants to travel the
world. She expresses herself through poetry and has been published in her
school's newspaper.
Congratulations Lady Ashley!
April 2007
April 18th, at the Union League of Philadelphia, Boys & Girls Clubs of
Philadelphia announced Amber Glenn as their 2007 Youth of the Year during a
celebratory dinner recognizing the year’s Oustanding Young Men and Women of
Boys & Girls Clubs.
Amber, a senior at Girls’ High, is active in her Club, her school and her community. A junior staff member at Germantown Boys
& Girls Club, Amber monitors 3rd and 4th graders
during Power Hour, assists during recreation time, and welcomes members and
visitors at the front door of the Club. She is also an active member of the Germantown Keystone Club, and enjoys
singing and dance performance, both of which she displayed at the "Touching a
Life" Gala last month. Amber plans to attend University of Maryland Eastern Shore in fall 2007.
Amber received a $1,000 scholarship for college and will be
BGCP’s representative at the State Youth of the Year competition in Harrisburg,
May 7th and 8th, 2007. She has a chance of winning more college scholarship funds as she
advances to the next level of competition.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia also selected an
outstanding Young Man of the Year, William Lawrence, from Bridesburg Boys
& Girls Club. A junior at Cardinal Dougherty High School, Billy posts a stellar academic record in addition to
broad community involvement. Participating in causes like the
Hibernian Hunger Project, the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, and the Alhambra
organization, Billy has emerged as a teen leader in the Bridesburg
community. After graduating in 2008, he plans to build and focus his leadership skills at Temple University, studying both
education and business.
The evening opened with poignant words from Thomas Pappas,
who stressed the positive impact BGCP staff and programs have on the youth we
serve. Mr. Pappas, a Bridesburg BGC alumnus, cited the Club as a driving force in his own life, one that provided a
nurturing environment as a young man and encouraged him to excel.
Also in attendance were longtime Club supporters John Haas
and Frederick Heldring, whose yearly gifts to the Youth of the Year Scholarship
Fund at The Philadelphia Foundation ensure that the program continues to
recognize our bright young people. Board
members read biographies of the young competitors, while trophies and plaques
were presented by Chief Professional Officer Jeffrey Waldron and Chief
Operating Officer Jack Law.
Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and Chief of Staff, Kimberly Byrd
from the City of Philadelphia also attended the event, and the Commissioner
congratulated Amber, Billy and all the outstanding young men and women selected
by their Clubs.
Youth of the Year is a Boys & Girls Clubs of America
program designed to recognize outstanding teens at each Club, and to give them
a chance to win scholarships for post-high school education. Teens from each Club undergo a rigorous
process that includes written recommendations from peers and teachers, essays,
and an interview with a diverse panel of judges.
-Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia
