On March 26th through 28th, 13 finalists from across WA state competed to be the next WA State Youth of the Youth and WA State Military Youth of the Year.
Youth and their mentors gathered at Tumwater Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday night for a pizza dinner and getting-to-know-you games. On Wednesday morning, finalists arrived at the Capitol early for a breakfast and to pose for a photo with Governor Inslee. They heard remarks from Rep. Greg Nance, a Club alumni himself, and Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck. Rep Nance presented each finalist with a plaque and Lieutenant Governor Heck presented Zaida of Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties with the 2024 Community Service Award.
Zaida of Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties accepting the 2024 Community Service Award from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.
After breakfast, youth met with the HR team at WSECU in Olympia for a session on interview tips. Later, the finalists convened in Seattle at one of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County’s Clubs for speech practice. Once the finalists felt confident in their speaking abilities, the group headed to downtown Seattle to check-in at their hotel. A little while later, there was a limo ride around the neighborhoods of Seattle, a stop for ice cream and some photos of the Seattle skyline from Kerry Park.
The 13 finalists enjoying a tasty ice cream treat.
All finalists posing on the steps leading up to Bell Harbor International Event Center on Pier 66.
Thursday was the big day and each finalist arrived at Bell Harbor International Event Center on Pier 66 in Seattle for their scheduled interview with the judges followed by an “ice-cream social” where finalists gave their speeches in front of the judges and each other. The 2024 winners were announced at the Celebration Dinner where each finalist once again gave their speech but this time to a room of 250 guests, ranging from Club staff, youth families, and Youth of the Year sponsors.
Fritzy of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin accepting the 2024 Cooperative Spirit Award sponsored by Qualstar Credit Union and presented by Tim Motts, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and president of the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of WA State.
The two 2024 winners, Jordan R, from Joint Base Lewis McChord, the WA State Military Youth of the Year, and Tanzil H. of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, the WA State Youth of the Year.
We’d like to thank all our sponsors below who made the 2024 WA State Youth of the Year responsible.
