2021

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people.

The journey to being named National Youth of the Year begins locally and progresses to the state, regional and national levels. To achieve the title of Youth of the Year on any level, Club members must embody the values of leadership and service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. They should exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people

APPLICATION

BGCM Youth of the Year Erica Smith2019-20

BGCM Youth of YearApplication Packet2021

2021

PARTICIPANTS INFORMATIONFirst Name _____________  Last Name __________ Middle I. ___

Race: __________________________________

Home Phone______________ Email Address _____________________

Birthday ____________ (please include year)

Parent or Guardian _________________ Relationship: ___________

Parent or Guardian _________________ Relationship: ___________

Parent or Guardian Work Phone: _____________________________

Parent or Guardian E-mail: _________________________________

Home Address ____________________________________________

City ____________ State _____ Zip Code ____________

School Name ____________________________

Grade ______________

Club You Attend _________________________________

Length of Club Membership __________

What extra-curricular activities do you participate in? __________________

_________________________________________________________

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*Insert Photo of Participant*

2021

APPLICATION CHECKLIST Applications must include each item noted below. To ensure the application is complete, check off each item on this page as you complete and upload it to the portal at NYOY.org.

Note: Once applications are submitted, they cannot be altered!

Participant Information Form

This includes the candidate bio. Help the nominee fill this form out, if needed. Submit the form on

https://bgcomaha.org/scholarship/ . You will scroll down on the site and see an option that states,

“Form Submission”

Essays

Essay instructions are included at the bottom of this application. Candidates should compose and

type essays in Microsoft word, then submit on https://bgcomaha.org/scholarship/ . You will scroll

down on the site and see an option that states, “Essay Submission”. The three required essays

are:

1. My Club Experience

2. What Matters to Me

3. Overcoming Obstacles

Speech

Candidates will prepare a speech on the three required essays. Speeches may be no longer than

three minutes. Participants should compose and type speeches in Microsoft word, then submit on

https://bgcomaha.org/scholarship/ . You will scroll down the site and see an option that states,

“Speech Submission”.

APPLICATION

2021

SCORING FRAMEWORK

Category Description WeightCandidate Essays Candidates must write essays about their:

1. My Club Experience2. What Matters to Me3. Overcoming Obstacles

The essays will be judged for content, clarity and overall quality.

25%

Interview

Candidates should prepare for a 15-minute personal interview with judges. During the interview, judges will ask each candidate the same questions, but follow-up questions may vary, depending on each candidate’s responses.

25%

Public Speaking

Candidates should be prepared to deliver a speech based on the content of their three application essays. Speeches may be no longer than three minutes. Candidates will be judged on speech content, delivery, stage presence and poise.

25%

Overall Application Quality

Judges will evaluate the overall quality of the candidate’s portfolio – the essay, application and supporting materials. The following criteria will be used to assess each portfolio: clarity, professionalism, completion of each section and quality of supplemental materials.

25%

APPLICATION

2021

ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS Please use these instructions to help you develop your essays. Allow each of the questions and prompts to guide you. Your essays will be judged on content, writing style, clarity and grammar. Work with staff members at your Club to make sure they are well-written and compelling.

Each essay has a character limit of 5,000, including spaces. (This is roughly the equivalent of a two-page document typed in 11-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 line spacing.) Once your drafts are complete, submit your final copy by uploading the file on https://bgcomaha.org/scholarship/ . You will scroll down on the site and see an option that states, “Essay Submission”.

Essay 1: My Club Experience

Describe your time in the Club, including how long you’ve been a member, key aspects of your Club involvement, and the most important contributions the Club has made to your academic, personal and leadership development. Please share any ways in which the Club has helped you overcome challenges or obstacles that you may have experienced. Be sure to highlight any significant leadership roles you’ve held at the Club, as well as other participation in Club programs, service initiatives, etc.

Essay 2: What Matters to Me

A great foundation for leadership begins with identifying interests, passions and issues that are important to you. Actions and daily practices shaped by these things help you to be an advocate in your Club or community. For example, if you are passionate about the environment, you practice and advocate for recycling in your Club or home. Consider the following prompts.

What sparks your interest or passion? What is an issue that is important to you?  Describe an interest or passion that you have put into action or plan to in the future.

Essay 3: Overcoming Obstacles

This topic is taken directly from the Common Application essay prompts. The Common Application is a platform used by many colleges. Take extra care when drafting this section, as you may be able to use it again when applying to the colleges and universities of your choice.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success.  Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

APPLICATION