Selected among 137 outstanding teen members, Jaylah has been named the Youth of the Year by A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club. 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 live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 71st year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. Jaylah will go on to vie for the Alabama Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“Jaylah has been both an outstanding leader and a source of inspiration for our Club during her time with us. I am honored she will represent her peers and the entire A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club family as our 2018 Youth of the Year representative,” said Frank Adams, CEO of A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club.
Lane has been very engaged with various programs offered at A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, especially Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. She has taken on the responsibility of developing service projects in her community for her and her friends to participate in. She has “come to love making a difference in others’ lives,” Lane stated, and recognizes how much the program has helped her grow as a leader. Lane is driven, and knows that she can make a positive impact on the world around her. Lane is determined to keep growing and moving in a positive direction; she plans to continue working hard in school, go to college, and become a dermatologist. Since she’s always found joy in helping others, her goal is to work hard enough that she is able to give back to her community.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported the youth advocacy organization for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, is dedicated to inspiring the next generations of engineers, thinkers and leaders who will help drive the American economy. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a committed partner who has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on many Academic Success initiatives, and the Taco Bell Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
If Jaylah wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Southeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. in September 2018, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, 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.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.