Once all five regional finalists are named, the teens then start preparing for the national competition in September, which takes place in our nation’s capital. Teens have the amazing opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., meet their congressional representatives, and sometimes visit the Oval Office and meet the President!

Read below and learn more about your fellow Club teens who have overcome some tough obstacles while still managing to keep family, academics, service and character a priority in their life. Our hat is off to them -- and we wish them luck in the upcoming national YOY competition in September!

Midwest Regional Youth of the Year
Tamika R. Mallett
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana

Tamika has been on one difficult journey. Due to family obstacles, her mother fighting addiction and a father whose whereabouts are still unknown, she lacked focus until her junior year of high school. During these tough times, the Club supported and encouraged Tamika to realize that if you wanted to change, true change starts within yourself. Throughout her four-year tenure at the Club, she became a member of Keystone Club, SMART Girls, Power Hour and Junior Staff. She also dedicated time to giving back to her community with programs such as JAG (Jobs for American Graduates), East Chicago Mayor’s Committee, Greater Destiny Bible Church, Back-to School drives and as a youth member of the NAACP. Tamika is determined to be the first out of her 10 siblings to graduate from college. This fall she plans to attend Claflin University and study social work. She aspires to be a Boys & Girls Club professional!

Darnisha has faced and overcome many adversities in her childhood. Watching family members abuse substances and repeatedly losing trust in those closest to her were pretty devastating. But her five years at the Boys & Girls Club proved to be life-changing. At the Club is where Darnisha found people who refused to give up on her or allow her to give up on herself. The support and encouragement she received helped her become the disciplined, courageous young leader she is today. Darnisha became very active in the Club by participating in the Junior Staff program, Rake up Meridian, fundraisers and mentoring. In addition to her work at the Club, she volunteered in her community; such as helping out at Sunbridge Rehabilitation Clinic for the elderly, Rotary Club and Millennium Fund Legislative Committee. To add to her already busy schedule Darnisha maintained a 3.26 GPA at Meridian High School; where she was a member of National Honor Society member, student council, varsity track, soccer team, debate team and took honors classes in English, Geometry, Algebra and U.S. History. As a matter of fact, this fall she will be entering the University of Idaho with numerous college credits already earned. Her career aspiration is to become a lawyer.

Northeast Regional Youth of the Year
Nicholas Foley
Sarah Heinz House
Nicholas, who is 16 years old, has been a member of the Sarah Heinz House for 10 years. He was once homeless, but didn’t let that deter him from setting his sights high. Not only is Nicholas a Junior Staffer at his Club, he is also president of the Keystone Club. He is truly dedicated to giving back -- logging more than 1,500 hours of community service! This fall, Nicholas plans to study civil engineering at Pennsylvania State University.

Southeast Regional Youth of the Year
Ahkeem Hollimon
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Ahkeem has faced several challenges in his young life. After the tragic and violent death of his older brother, his family life became strained. Over the years, Hollimon has worked hard to move forward and become a better person – and he credits his Boys & Girls Club for helping him stay on track. A true leader at his Club, Ahkeem serves as a mentor to younger Club members and is active in Keystone Club, Torch Club and Leadership Council. He also had the honor of serving the past two years as a member of the National Keystone Conference Teen Steering Committee for the conferences in Pittsburgh and Orlando. As if he wasn’t busy enough at the Club, Ahkeem still made academics a priority in his life. He graduated as an honor student from Osceola High School. He was a member of the basketball team and served as a student representative on the Osceola School District school board. In the fall, Ahkeem will attend Valencia Community College with a double major in engineering and business management.

Southwest Regional Youth of the Year
DeShaun Bennett
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas
Growing up in Little Rock, Ark., DeShaun experienced tragedy too young, losing his father at age 11. Even though he lived in a community where drugs and violence were prevalent, he is the epitome of a role model for other teens. As a 10-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas, DeShaun tutors younger Club members and has been hired as a summer staff member. He also was one of the first teens to participate in his Club’s UPS Road Code program, a safe-driving initiative. At home, Bennett helps daily with many of the household duties, including caring for younger children and contributing financially. He also cares for his disabled grandmother. Bennett extends this helpful spirit to his community, where he has volunteered at a local hospital, participated in Race for the Cure, and fed needy families. Over the past four years, he has volunteered for more than 1,000 hours. Need more proof that DeShaun is an outstanding teen? Well, he recently graduated with honors from North Little Rock High School with a 3.7 GPA. While there, he was president of the Student Council and active in the National Honor Society and on the varsity wrestling team. In August, Bennett will begin classes as a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta where he will pursue a degree in chemistry. One of his life goals is to discover the cure for AIDS!