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Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year
program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people
on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to
lead, succeed and inspire. As the Ohio Youth of the Year,
Jones will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the
state, will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys &
Girls Clubs of America, and will go on to vie for the
regional Youth of the Year and ultimately the national
title.
Jones will graduate this May from St. John’s Jesuit High
School & Academy where he is a member of the Christian
service, meal delivery and academic tutoring programs. He is
also a member of the Ambassador Society and the baseball
team. This fall, he will attend Grambling State University
where he will pursue a degree in biology and play baseball.
As a Keystone Club member and a Junior Staff, Jones spends a
lot of time at the Club yet still serves as a program
volunteer whenever and wherever he is needed. He is also
currently in the development stages of a baseball skills
clinic for Boys & Girls Club members. During his nine years
as a Club member, he is most proud of the lasting
friendships he has made and how Club staff have heldp him
grow into a mature young man. He also takes pride in being
selected twice by his peers to receive the Camp Big Silver
Sagamore Award for embodying true leadership and the
Islander Award for determination.
“Keyaunte and all Youth of the Year nominees are living
proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are
inspiring and enabling young people to achieve great
futures,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO, BGCA. “Being
named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the 2017
Youth of the Year, Keyaunte will serve as a spokesperson for
our young people, sharing his inspiring story and leading
the way to transform communities for the better.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s
National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented
by Disney, who has supported the youth advocacy organization
for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach
their full potential and providing youth with access to the
tools they need to build the great futures they imagine.
Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth
of the Year, is dedicated to inspiring the next generations
of engineers, thinkers and leaders who will help drive the
American economy. Additional support is provided by
University of Phoenix, a committed partner who has worked
with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on many Academic Success
initiatives, and the Taco Bell Foundation, Boys & Girls
Clubs of America’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
This summer, Jones will join other
state winners to vie for the Midwest regional title. If
named the regional winner, he will be awarded an additional
$10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to
$40,000.
Six youth, including five regional
winners and a military youth winner, will advance to
Washington, D.C. in September 2017, to compete for the title
of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the
Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an
additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable for four years
up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with
the President of the United States in the White House.
For more information about the Youth
of the Year program, visit
www.youthoftheyear.org.
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