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    STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR

    Every Club professional has the power to develop within all members the qualities of sound character, leadership and willingness to serve. These are the qualities that make a Youth of the Year. Established in 1947 by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Youth of the Year program develops Club members to be articulate, well-groomed and knowledgeable spokespersons for their Club and community. The program recognizes and celebrates young people’s commitment to public service, academic performance, character, long-term goals and personal challenges. Each year, a panel of judges selects a member of the Boys & Girls Club to represent the Club in State and Regional competitions. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County are proud to announce Kevin Stalker as the state of Florida, Youth of the Year.

    Kevin competed against over 200 kids from various Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state of Florida. “Kevin has hit a few bumps in the road, actually saying that Kevin’s road has been bumpy is an understatement – yet he continues to choose the right path. Through disastrous family life, and anger difficulties, Kevin chose the right path—he IS a Boys & Girls Club kid,” asserts Bill Sadlo, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

    It is at the Club level that the Youth of the Year program has its greatest impact in developing young people. Those who go on to state, regional and national levels of the program are afforded additional opportunities for personal growth. As a regional finalist, Kevin will compete in Atlanta in June. The four regional winners will have an opportunity to meet President Obama, and the opportunity to compete for National Youth of the Year at a competition held in Washington, DC. The National Youth of the Year receives a total of $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States.

Kids Cafe and Culinary Program

Through past community support, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has state-of-the-art commercial kitchens where members between the ages of 11-18 years old are taught proper nutrition, food preparation and meal planning. Each participant has an  opportunity to make a nutritious meal for peers at the Club. They also learn and participate in etiquette, health safety and Healthy Kids Club. Local partners are Rotary, Whole Foods, Mattison's, Ritz-Carlton and SCON.