KIMBERLY BELLAMY
The opportunity to highlight the commendable attitudes and behavior of youth in the Twin Counties is approaching again for the Boys and Girls Clubs through its annual Youth of the Year event.
The night typically includes a limo-ride, a walk down a red carpet, a catered meal and plaques to recognize the exceptional acts of club members that Boy and Girls Club staff members have noticed throughout the year.
“At the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nash and Edgecombe counties caring staff members encourage and support the club members they serve. Through this nurturing environment, many develop sound character, leadership abilities and willingness to give back to their community,” said Tony Orr, director of operations for Boys and Girls Clubs of Nash/Edgecombe counties.
The event will be from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 25 at Nash Community College. The event was held in February last year at Edgecombe Community College. Orr said the event location alternates each year because they serve youth in both counties.
In addition to the perks of the limo-ride and the red carpet walk, youth will hear a message from a Boys and Girls Clubs of America executive Judith J. Pickens, and the 2007 National Youth of the Year Demetrius Tuttle, both traveling from Georgia.
Pickens who is the senior vice president of program services said that the event encourages youth across the country to strive for greatness, which is the theme of the local event, the national motto, and the focus of her address.
“They (youth) believe that they can be great, and I really like that because Boys and Girls Clubs of America believe that every single young person has the potential to be great,” Pickens said.
“It’s part of our philosophy, our belief in all children achieving their highest potential.”
Pickens said the organizations five youth development principles of character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; art, and sports, fitness and recreation enables greatness to occur.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Nash/Edgecombe counties ranks number three in the state as far as size and their commitment to youth led Pickens to make the trip to talk to community members in the Twin Counties.
An example of the benefits of the Youth of the Year title and participation in the Boys and Girls Club will be given by Tuttle, 20.
“I’m going to instill a sense of hope in them, and a sense of giving back,” he said.
The message of giving back is something that Tuttle not only talks about, but lives by. At his school, LaGrange College in Georgia, he leads a initiative called the Bus Project which makes children more culturally and socially aware of the world through setting up mentoring opportunities with fellow students at LaGrange College.
Tuttle said his experiences as a National Youth of the Year has taught him humility, self confidence, and assured him that his relationship with the organization will be life-long.
“It’s a giant family and if I can find the symbol with the two hands, I definitely know that I’m welcome,” he said.
