Louisiana Youth of the Year

We are proud to announce that Kailey Williams from our Slidell Club has been named the Louisiana Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 72nd 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 Louisiana Youth of the Year, Kailey 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 contend for the regional Youth of the Year and ultimately the national title.

Kailey is a Sophomore at Northshore High School with a 3.82 G.P.A.  She attends the Slidell Club and has been a member for 7 years.  She truly enjoys being a mentor to the younger Club members and wants to be an example that hard work really does pay off.  She takes honors classes, is the Vice President of her class, and a member of the volleyball team. 

Kailey credits the Club with teaching her confidence, leadership skills, and challenging her to try new things.  She is active in her community and in the Club, participating in Keep Slidell Beautiful, Peer Tutoring, and Jr. Staff at the Slidell Club.  She enjoys the Club programs but is particularly proud of the impact she has helped make with younger members in Power Hour (Homework assistance).  Her mother has raised her alone, and says the Club is Kailey’s home away from home when she is working.  She says that the Club has afforded Kailey so many opportunities to which she is eternally grateful.

Upon high school graduation, Kailey wants to attend Spellman College in Atlanta, GA and become a pediatric surgeon.  She wants to continue to give back to her community and maintain her strong connection with the Club.  She is a true example the GREAT FUTURES START HERE.

“We are incredibly proud of Kailey and all the Youth of the Year nominees,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the Louisiana Youth of the Year, Kailey will serve as a spokesperson for Boys & Girls Club kids across the state who need more role models that they can admire and emulate.”

Founded more than seventy years ago in 1947 as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club. The Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by The Walt Disney Company, who has supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America 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 is the Signature Sponsor of the national Youth of the Year program.

This summer, Kailey will join other state winners to vie for the Southeast regional title. If named the regional winner, she 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 2019, 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.