The Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri hosted its annual Youth of the Year competition on January 28, at 7 p.m. in the FOX Theater Event Center in Sedalia, MO. and the Club is proud to announce that Alexis Roark, out of the Club’s site in Green Ridge, was chosen as the 2010 Youth of the Year winner.

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 over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

At age 14, Alexis Roark is a true example of an extraordinary young woman and she credits the Boys & Girls Club with helping steer her in the right direction. 

“The Club has changed my life,” said Roark. “The Boys & Girls Club has taught me that there is a bigger world out there than I could have ever imagined with opportunities that I never knew existed. Club staff told me that all I needed to do was choose a goal and that they would help me get there.”

Rather than making the poor decisions she once made in the past, Alexis now believes in giving back and making a difference in the community. As a Freshman at Green Ridge High School, Roark has been involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), volunteering at the local community health fair, planting and gardening for  elderly residents, community food and clothing drives and playing music for homebound residents. As Torch Club president for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Green Ridge site, Roark has helped spearhead a canned food drive, a day in the park community event, the haunted kitchen, the pop-tab recycling program, letters to the elderly, teaching and tutoring volunteer programs and service-project planning. In the past year, Roark has logged over 170 hours of community service.

“I have seen Alexis grow in so many ways. The Boys & Girls Club has given back what she had once lost within herself – her identity, self-worth and her respect for herself and others,” said mother, Lora Roark.

On March 30th and 31st, Roark will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members from across the state for the Missouri Youth of the Year title. The winner from the state will advance towards earning the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will compete in Washington, D.C., in September 2010, for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship, provided by the Reader’s Digest Foundation, and is installed by the President of the United States in an Oval Office ceremony.  As recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Youth of the Year, Roark will be able to apply for a full-ride, four year scholarship to Marquette University.

Are you the next Youth of the Year?

> Click here to Join Today!

© 2010 Boys & Girls Clubs
of West Central Missouri