Palmetto Sr. Named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year
Posted
Staff Report
PALMETTO – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County recently named Jayden D., a senior at Palmetto High School, as the organization’s 2023-24 Youth of the Year Representative. Jayden’s award includes a 1-year Florida College Prepaid Scholarship.
Jayden, a National Honor Society student with plans to attend Saint Leo University, will now vie for the Florida Youth of the Year title and additional awards from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
"We are so proud of Jayden’s accomplishments to represent our Manatee County clubs this year, said Dawn Stanhope, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County." He is a bright and determined young man, with a desire to make our community and world a better place. We will be cheering him on as he competes against other Youth of the Year winners from across the state next month."
Jayden credits his family for his strong foundation and football for the development of his leadership skills and confidence. A Boys & Girls Club member since the age of seven, he appreciates the club that provided him with the ability to reach heights never imagined and is grateful for the club staff and members who helped him become the young man he is today.
"The way I hope to change the world is to start my own business and mentor teens and young adults to help them through life’s challenges," said Jayden.
The Youth of the Year runner-up, Skylar G., a member of the DeSoto Boys & Girls Club, also received $1,500 towards a Florida College Prepaid scholarship. In addition, Dior A., a member of the Boys & Girls Club at G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary, was announced as the Junior Youth of the Year.
Dior, along with all the Junior Youth of the Year finalists, received recommendations to apply to the Clubs’ partner, Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, for the potential of receiving scholarships upon successful completion of the program.
The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor awarded to an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures. The competition starts at a local level, then state, regional and national, until a National Youth of the Year is chosen to serve as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth.