On Thursday evening, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana celebrated the achievements of eight remarkable Club members at its annual Youth of the Year Ceremony at Avalon Manor.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana selected candidates who best represented their respective Clubs as effective leaders, communicators, and students. Assessment of each candidates’ public speaking, writing skills, academics and volunteer work was evaluated by a committed group of local leaders before selecting the winner. Andrea Roscoe of John Will Anderson Gary Club is the 2024 Youth of the Year awardee, who received a $5,000 scholarship and will now compete at the Indiana State Youth of the Year Competition. The runner-up, Alaisha Brown of Hammond Club, received a $2,500 scholarship.
“It was a shocker because I had a lot of great competition,” said Andrea Roscoe. “I’m proud of everyone who came up here and said their speech. I am so glad that I have been chosen. It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to represent my Region in the state competition.”
The Youth of the Year competition is intended to showcase the influence each nominated student has on their community by having them share testimonies of their resilience and hardships. Roscoe’s speech emphasized the importance of her Club's involvement in shaping the future of today’s youth. Her words touched on her own upstanding friendships she has made and her warm welcome into Boys & Girls Clubs three to four years ago. She also tied in inspiration from her family and education.
“You can be anything you want to be. Not everyone knows that, but I do,” said Roscoe. “Being a part of Boys & Girls Clubs and being part of the Career Academy opened my eyes to everything. We got to learn how to build our city, from getting electric buses back to our city and writing about climate change. I learned about all the different occupations that my city might not provide for us. From then on, I learned that I can be anything that I want to be.”
Brown’s runner-up speech also emphasized the strong role Boys & Girls Clubs continue to have in helping her build great bonds and creating opportunities to help her grow.
“I’m honored to say Boys & Girls Club is a safe space where I can express myself in so many ways without fear or judgment. The Club is like my second family,” said Brown.
To honor all the candidates, the clubs provided personal development opportunities for all nominees. Each remaining finalist received a scholarship of $1,250 for their dedicated commitment. Sponsors also donated to each candidates’ Swag Bags, which featured tumblers, Apple AirPods and gift cards.
“When you see these eight young people give their testimonies, we all have a reason to be incredibly hopeful because the future is very, very bright,” said Mike Jessen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.
In the closing remarks of the event, Jessen and guest Jason Lammertin, who serves on the Board of Directors, discuss life-changing measures for children, educators and volunteers alike through their programs.
“Our kids face societal and cultural struggles, temptations, social media, drugs and neglectful guardians,” said Jessen. “In spite of the heartbreak, we want to help these kids and help others. Our Clubs' kids know the struggle and challenges, but are hopeful that they can make a positive difference in the community and have the opportunity to be successful. We believe every kid has what it takes.”
Lammertin, who has a rich, forty-year history of being guided by Boys & Girls Clubs, spoke of the positive and formidable influence the organization had on his upbringing. His attests to his life being saved by the efforts taken by his youth. Reflecting on the influence on today’s youth, especially the eight honored speakers, Lammertin invites the community to help assist in bringing their mission to support youth.
“Today at our different sites all across the county, more than 1800 kids are doing to walk through those doors of our Clubs and it will cost around $23 for each kid. That is a proud $40,000 a day. That’s for tomorrow. Today we want to help raise our goal of $25,000 tonight. After all, the only and best investment in life is children.”
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana or how to donate, visit bgcgreaternwi.org.
