The Washington State Youth of the Year event kicked off on March 23rd at Boeing’s Future of Flight. Finalists and their advisors gathered for introductions and activities at Boeing’s Future of Flight Museum. This photo was taken right before the youth were released to enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum. Thank you Boeing for hosting us and providing a wonderful activity for the youth!
After a fun day of getting to know one another, the finalists hit the road in…a limo! The limo drove them around Seattle, stopping for frozen yogurt and photos at Kerry Park. The finalists all agreed at the end of Youth of the Year that the limo ride was the turning point in their relationships – it was where they all got to really open up and learn more about each other.
On Thursday, the finalists and their advisors met at Bell Harbor Convention Center in Seattle for the finalists’ individual interviews with the judges. After their interviews, finalists, family, advisors, sponsors, and other supporters all gathered at Bell Harbor for the Celebration Dinner where the 2022 WA State Youth of the Year and 2022 WA Military Youth of the Year were announced. Read their bios below.
Johanna G. is a member of the Mount Vernon Club of Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County. She is a senior at Mount Vernon High School and has been a Club member for 9 years. Joanna is or has been a member of Teen Leadership Group, a Power Hour Volunteer, Junior Staff, Smart Girls, Healthy Habits, and a Summer Staff Member during the Summer of 2021. Joanna’s community service spans from being vice president of Latinos in Action, PR Officer of Keystone Club, and a member of the ASB Senate. She has participated in food drives, donation drives for the Skagit Humane Society, toy drives, and spoke at Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County’s Gala and Annual Breakfast fundraisers. Joanna will be the first in her immediate family to attend college. She is undecided as to which college she will attend as she has been accepted into 6 WA state colleges, to include: PLU, SPU, EWU, CWU, WSU, Skagit Valley College, and Carroll College. She plans to study nursing to become a registered nurse.
Sam C. is a sophomore at Lakes High School and has been a Club member for 4 years. He is a member of the Hillside Youth Center/Teen Zone at Boys & Girls Clubs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He is president of Torch Club, Keystone, and Fine Arts Club. Fine Arts Club focuses on teaching youth a variety of art mediums. Sam has mentored Torch Club members and middle schoolers in planning and organizing events. He has also participated in clean ups, ran sound board for his school’s Fall Musical, as well as assisted with classes and sorted supplies for his school’s Arts & Crafts Center. Sam plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in business. His career aspiration is to become an entrepreneur.
Thank you to all of our sponsors that made the 2022 Youth of the Year possible!
