February 9, 2023

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Names 2023 Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year

Sanay C. to Now Vie for State Title and Additional Educational Scholarships

Youth of the Year–Sanay C.

Junior Youth of the Year – Amari M.

 

Kansas City, Missouri, February 9, 2022 – Sanay C. from the Thornberry Unit has been named the 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Youth of the Year in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) National Youth of the Year program. As the Youth of the Year for Greater Kansas City, Sanay will serve as a role model, brand ambassador and thought leader on key issues by telling her inspiring personal story at select speaking engagements. Sanay receives a $1,000 educational scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and a $5,000 scholarship from McCarthy Auto Group. She will advance to participate in the Missouri State Youth of the Year Celebration in April 2023 and, from there, possibly as far as the National Youth of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., with the opportunity to earn up to $75,000 in additional scholarships along the way.

Sanay, a high school junior, is a six-year Club member at Thornberry Unit. At the Boys & Girls Club, Sanay participates in many Club programs, including Keystone Club. She has taken on leadership roles at the Club through the Youth of the Year program.

Sanay maintains a 3.2 G.P.A. at school and is active in softball, basketball and Stucco. After high school, Sanay hopes to be an athletic trainer for the National Basketball Association.

In other recognition, Amari M. from the Tolbert Middle School site was named the 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Junior Youth of the Year. Amari is in the sixth grade at Lee A. Tolbert Academy. Amari is active in the Boys & Girls Clubs’ arts program. She is passionate about helping people and hopes to be a pediatrician. Amari will advance to participate in the Missouri State Junior Youth of the Year Celebration in April 2023.

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Participation in BGCA’s National Youth of the Year program is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve. To achieve the title of Youth of the Year on any level, Club members have demonstrated that they embody the values of leadership and service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

For one hundred ten years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City has provided youth ages 5-18 a fun and safe environment to learn, play, meet new friends and grow — with particular emphasis on youth who need us most. From sports, digital arts and media to group activities and tutoring, the Clubs provide caring adult mentors, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.

Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles to nearly 1,000 area youth each day. Whether it is learning how an individual can make a difference in their community or how to swim – the Clubs strive to help youth feel important and put their dreams of a Great Future within reach.

More information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City can be found online at www.helpkckids.org or facebook.com/helpkckids.

 About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contact:  Sharon Cleaver, Direct: 816-462-0136, Mobile: 816-674-3721, scleaver@helpkckids.org

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