Selected among several local outstanding youth, Sharod will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Indiana Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). 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 Northwest Indiana, 17-year old Sharod 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.
“The Youth of the Year Program is our secret sauce. There’s no better way to show the impact our Clubs have on the lives of young people,” said Anne Flannery, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana. “Sharod’s amazing story reinforces the ability we can have to support success across our three key outcome areas – academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and leadership – and help young people reach their full potential. We’re looking to intentionally grow and expand this premier program to engage a much wider audience of youth in the future.
Raised in a single parent household, Holmes started a business endeavor during his time with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana - Merrillville. He learned the art of entrepreneurship through his favorite club program, Passport to Manhood, which led Holmes to start his small business named Sneaker Gear. Selling printed t-shirts to match the latest sneakers in the market, his first customer was his club, selling over 600 shirts to the summer program. The outstanding quality of his work led to another order of 100 shirts to the staff at his club.
Holmes learned the ways of becoming a man in Passport to Manhood, which was the most influential program to his life. As he grew up without a father, the program taught him how to tie the perfect bowtie, how to treat women, identify various tools in a toolbox and how to respect himself and others. Passport to Manhood also inspired him to start his own small business, Sneaker Gear. His participation in Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service, also led him to develop fundraising ideas for his first plan ride to the 2015 National Keystone Conference. Holmes also volunteers and works as Junior Staff in his club, playing sports along with kids in the club and motivating others in his program, Passport to Manhood.
As an honors student with school commitments, Holmes volunteers at least three times a week at his Boys & Girls Club. He also does community service for two clubs at his school called Socially Together and Naturally Diverse. Holmes maintained the service to his community and school, but also his grades and was accepted to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington. He plans on learning to expand his entrepreneurial endeavors and plans on giving back to his community and to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.
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 Sharod wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. 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.