2016 SAN ANTONIO YOUTH OF THE YEAR
EXCEPTIONAL TEEN FROM JUDSON ISD WINS YOUTH OF THE YEAR HONOR FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN ANTONIO
Allan Johnson to Now Vie for South Texas Title and Scholarship
San Antonio, TX, January 29, 2016 – Selected among several local outstanding youth, Allan will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the South Texas Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs South Texas Area Council. 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. As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, 18-year old Allan is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by BGCA for his leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Allen is a wonderful example of the impact Boys & Girls Clubs has on our members. He is confident, successful, and poised for a great future thanks to the programs and mentorship he has received in our Clubs,” said Angie Mock, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.
The San Antonio competition was held Wednesday, January 27, at the San Antonio Area Foundation. Judges included representatives from the Area Foundation, Valero Energy Foundation, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and Alpha Media. Judges scored candidates on four categories: Candidate Essays, Interview, Public Speaking, and Overall Application Quality.
Johnson is a senior at Judson Early College Academy (JECA) who plans on attending University of Houston and study Architecture. At JECA, he maintains a 3.8 GPA and will graduate with a Distinguished Diploma and an Associate’s Degree in May 2016. Johnson is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and Key Club.
Johnson has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs for six years, first joining a club site at Redeeming Grace Church. Now, at JECA, Johnson attends the Army Youth Program in Your Neighborhood afterschool program operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. Through the Boys & Girls Clubs, Johnson has participated in community service projects, basketball and flag football leagues, and even worked as a junior staff.
“My experience at my Boys & Girls Clubs has been both inspiring and enjoyable. A lot of the things I was taught while at the Club translated into my academics at school too,” Johnson said.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported BGCA 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 committed to helping improve the quality of life in our communities, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring youth have access to a quality education. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a national education partner that has joined with BGCA to impact academic success among youth across the country, and the Taco Bell Foundation, BGCA’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
If Johnson wins at the South Texas competition, he will compete for the title of State Youth of the Year and an additional $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Winners from the state competition advance to one of five regional competitions. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2016, to compete for the title of BGCA’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 http://www.youthoftheyear.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio
Established in 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio has been helping young people to feel inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves more than 9,200 members annually at seven branch locations and 41 on-site school locations. The Clubs provide after school and summer programs that develop and enhance academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those who need these programs most. For more information, visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio website at: www.BeGreatSA.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
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Contact:
Zuani Villarreal, Chief Development Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, [email protected], (210) 269-7687 cell
