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Press Room

Nov 4, 2008 | Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend

JEFFERSON COUNTY STUDENT NAMED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS 2008 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jefferson County High School student and Boys & Girls Club member, Eric Evans, was recently named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend’s 2008 Youth of the Year. As the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive, the title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and local Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. Eric was selected to receive this award from among more than 7,000 Boys & Girls Club members across four counties, and was recently recognized in Tallahassee at the organization’s annual fundraiser, the Kids Soiree.

“Through his academic achievements and extracurricular involvement at his school, his Club and throughout the community, Eric truly exemplifies what it means to be named Youth of the Year,” said Samuel M. “Buddy” Streit, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend. “Having been a member of our organization for the past 13 years, we have had the privilege of helping him grow and develop into the well-rounded young man he is today and couldn’t be more proud to present him with this great honor.”

Eric is involved in numerous school Clubs and organizations, and most recently served as class president. In his community, he volunteers at the nursing home and at voter registration drives, and assists the elderly. He is also a junior staff member at the Boys & Girls Club at St. Phillips Church in Monticello. After graduating high school, Eric aspires to attend Florida A&M University and pursue a degree in social work to work with the disabled.

Eric has already received a commemorative award and $1,000 cash from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend, but his run does not stop there. On Nov. 10, he will be recognized at the Jefferson County School Board meeting, and early next year, he will have the opportunity to compete for the Florida Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship. The state winner goes on to compete for the regional and possibly even national title, with opportunities to win additional scholarship money along the way. The national winner meets the president of the United States and serves as the official teen spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend, visit www.ThePositivePlaceForKids.org or call 850-656-8100. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year program, visit www.bgca.org/yoy.

ABOUT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE BIG BEND

Established in 1992 to help curb local youth crime and delinquency, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend offers kids ages 5 to 18 a Positive Place to Go after school, where they can grow personally and academically in a safe and structured environment. Now operating 16 Clubs in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson and Leon Counties and serving more than 7,000 members every year, the organization provides a compelling alternative to drugs, crime, gang activity and other negative influences affecting local youth today, and enables members to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. As an independent affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend relies heavily on the generosity of local benefactors and direct support from public and private entities. To learn more, visit www.ThePositivePlaceForKids.org.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA’S YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

Sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation since 1947, the Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Competition begins with each club selecting a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion then enters state competition. State winners receive a plaque and $1,000 scholarship then enter the regional competition. Each of the five regional winners receives a $10,000 scholarship and enters the national competition held in Washington, DC. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship, totaling $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States. For more information visit www.bgca.org/yoy.

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