2008 Regional Youths Of The Year

Meet the Regional Youths of the Year

Myclubmylife is profiling the regional Youth of the Year winners leading up to the National Youth of the Year in September. Regional winners receive a $10,000 college scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation, the program’s founding sponsor, and advance to BGCA’s National Youth of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., next month.

Jamaal Phillips, Midwest Regional Winner

Jamaal has spent the past two years as the main source of support in his household. His mother was called to active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves. His father has suffered four heart attacks and is limited in what he can do. Jamall has made sure his 8-year-old sister is up and ready for school, the house is clean and meals are prepared. He did all this while maintaining a 4.15 GPA at his high school and working at his local Club.
At the Club, he worked as a program assistant in the sports and recreation department and as a summer camp counselor. A 10-year member, he participated in several Club programs, including basketball, Keystone Club, and a program that teaches how the criminal justice system works.
With several other Club members, Jamaal traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to help restore the city’s Boys & Girls Clubs. He worked the phones to collect athletic equipment, board games and supplies for New Orleans' Teen Centers. He worked with fellow Club members to clean and re-stock the Clubs.
A recent high school graduate, Jamaal excelled academically and participated in activities including football, swimming, jazz band and Math Club. He also managed the girls swim team. He soon begins the fall semester at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on a full four-year academic and athletic scholarship. Jamaal plans to pursue a career in industrial technology and says he’d appreciate a chance to play in the NFL.

Youths of the Year 2008 Euro Trip

Several current and former Youths of the Year, including national winners Stacey Walker ('07) and Demetrice Tuttle ('08), are visiting Clubs in Europe this summer to serve as ambassadors. The teens and 20-somethings are sharing their exciting experiences via written journals with myclubmylife.com.

Brittny Cantero, 2007-08 Southwest Regional Youth of the Year
Touring England

One More Mountain to Climb! Hello again! I have been so consumed this past week with all the wonderful experiences that Wales has to offer. Each day presented something new and exciting that I and many of the teens had never done in our lives: mountain climbing, rock climbing, raft building and kayaking on the Irish Sea. Mountain climbing was by far the greatest experience of my life. We hiked 10 miles altogether and getting to the summit was one of my greatest accomplishments. It was an obstacle I could have not done on my own. I, along with most of the teens, would have given up on the first mile hiking up that steep mountain. However, the spirit of teamwork and support strengthened us as we laughed and joked the whole way through. It paralleled a lot of my personal experiences of living on my own and supporting myself. I could not have made it to this point in my life without the support of a team of people who believe in me and have helped me climb life’s “mountains.”

Raft Building! Raft building was wicked awesome, as I and the other instructor had given most of the responsibility to the teens in building the raft from scratch. The wind began blowing and the rain falling, but they never gave up. They worked together and somehow constructed a beautiful raft that they steered all the way back to shore, despite the wild winds and currents. I must admit I was horrible at kayaking. You would have laughed at my awful steering skills. I capsized twice and was beyond terrified when I went under water and was gasping for air. It was the single most frightening moment of my life. Yet again, I had someone there to reach out a hand and pull me out of troubled waters.

Lessons Learned: I know that whatever life throws at me, I have these obstacles to look back upon and the strength and fortitude that they have instilled in me shall bring me through it! I am more than confident that all 22 of the teenagers that went along feel that way.

Goodbyes are the Saddest Part! Here's a sneak peak at my upcoming week, my last week in Mildenhall, England. Tonight I am going bowling with teens from the Boys & Girls Club. Tuesday, I am travelling to Lakenheath to shadow a pediatrician at a hospital. Wednesday I am invited to go shopping with some teenage girls and Thursday I am conducting a Triple Play Games kickball tournament. Friday, I sadly have to say goodbye to the Boys & Girls Club of Mildenhall and venture back to Ramstein, Germany. I really want to handcuff my ankle to the flagpole and tell BGCA that they have to come drag me away!!

Alyse Eady, 2006-'07 Southwest Regional Youth of the Year
Touring Turkey

Coolest Site or Trip of the Week I had the chance to go to Mt. Nemrut and watch the sun rise. It was so beautiful and it was totally work the hike at 3:30 in the morning! I also went on a field trip to a horse ranch and saw the cutest spider monkeys! That was definitely my favorite part about the ranch.

New Phrase of the week - "Ingilizce biliyor musunuz?" It means, "Do you speak English?" This has become one of my favorite phrases! The language barrier has been quite an obstacle for me. I'm trying really hard though!

Interesting Food I've Had. I've tried some traditional Turkish food, and I'll be honest ... I could go for a nice big cheeseburger right now! But I really like the chicken tava. It's chicken, cheese, mushrooms and Turkisn spices. I LOVE it! I've also eaten quite a bit of chicken shish and bread.

Fashion On Base. I've noticed that that the fashion here on base is very similar to that in the U.S. I think it's just a little bit behind though. Skulls and Sponge Bob clothing are really popular over here. Many of the teens have complained to me about the lack of options available on base. They find that when they buy their clothing at the BX (kind of like a Wal-Mart minus the groceries!) they all end up wearing the same clothes.

Growing Up In Europe. The young people over here are truly amazing. Honestly, I am in awe of their lifestyle. Because most of them have been stationed in several places, they have a great appreciation for different cultures and have adapted well to moving around alot. Most of them tell me that they enjoy living all over the world and they like having friends all over the world.