BGCA's Youth of the Year:  The Best of the Best!

Read new profiles each week of Boys & Girls Club Youths of the Year from all 50 states and U.S. military bases abroad, chosen for academic excellence and service to home, Club and community.

Jeremy Williams
Alabama

Jeremy Williams, a three-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, has been named the Youth of the Year for the state of Alabama by BGCA.

After going through a division in his home life at an early age, Jeremy Williams has always maintained a positive outlook on life. Even though his parents divorced, Williams never allowed this difficult time to alter his goals or progress. Many times, Williams finds himself encouraging family and friends through their difficult times instead.

As a member of the Huntsville Boys & Girls Club, Williams has been dedicated to serving in his local church and community since he was a young child. He has served as President of Christian Youth Fellowship, President of Huntsville District Christian Methodist Episcopal Youth and Huntsville Boys & Girls Club Junior Leader. Along with these leadership accomplishments, Williams has also served on his local United Way Youth Leadership Council and was selected to participate at Alabama Boys’ State and received a scholarship from the United States Senate Youth Program. Williams is a founding member of the Save Darfur Chapter at Lee High School, where he also serves as Peer Helper.

Ranked number one academically in his high school class, Williams also serves as Student Government Association President, National Honor Society President, and Party Chairman and Speaker of the House at Alabama Boys’ State. Williams is dedicated to using his creative abilities in his school and community. He is the editor of Lee High School’s Magnet Magic Newsletter, teen writer for Huntsville Times and the creative force behind The W.A.I.T., a motivational monthly newsletter targeted for teenagers. In addition, his literary work – Any Other Wouldn’t Go and Revival – has been published by Creative Communications, Inc. (Logan, Utah).

This fall, Williams plans to attend Vanderbilt University to major in Economics and pursue his passion for pastoral ministry.

More About the Youth of the Year Program
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded 61 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

"The Reader's Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947," said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader's Digest Foundation. "For more than 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens for their dedication to their families, Club and community, and for helping them achieve their academic and career goals."

"All Youth of the Year nominees offer proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO, BGCA. "We are thankful to the Reader’s Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our Youth of the Year program and for helping Club members reach their goals."

Regional winners are awarded a $10,000 college scholarship and advance to the national competition in Washington. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

As the founding sponsor of the Youth of the Year program, the Reader’s Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million to BGCA's leadership program, and 61 teens have been selected as the National Youth of the Year.