Cassidy L.

“My journey as a Club member and Youth of the Year has given me a purpose and sense of acceptance I never had as a child.”

Cassidy started attending her Boys & Girls Club when she was 8 years old and it quickly became her home. When she first joined the Club, a staff member named Robert taught her how to play the guitar. His mentorship cultivated her love for music and led Cassidy to become a staff member herself. She credits her Club with providing a safe place away from negative influences.

While facing significant tragedy and challenges in her life, Cassidy became even more involved in her Club as president of the organization’s service arm, Keystone Club. She has traveled across Idaho to speak at events and participate in leadership conferences. Cassidy is passionate about getting more teens into the Club so they have an outlet to combat depression and mental illness.

Amongst all her leadership and Club involvement, Cassidy maintained a 4.0 grade point average her senior year. She is a freshman at Northwest Nazarene University and plans to study communications, with a focus on public speaking.