Boys & Girls clubs honor youth from five county centers
One of the most anticipated events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County was held Tuesday, March 16, at The American Club. The annual Awards Banquet celebrates the accomplishments of club members from all five centers throughout Sheboygan County.
Following dinner, the Youth of the Year awards and Sportsperson of the Year awards were presented for each of the five centers.
Toulong Vue, a fourth-grader from Washington School, was presented the Youth of the Year Award for the Washington Elementary Center.
“Toulong stands out with his friendly smile and helpful attitude,” said Julee Starich, Washington Elementary Center director.
The Sportsperson of the Year Award for the Washington Elementary Center was presented to Yeeleng Yang, a fifth-grader. Yang has a fun and bubbly personality and the staff take pleasure in having him around.
Matt Bunge, a sixth-grader from Howards Grove, was presented the Sportsperson of the Year Award for the Howards Grove Center.
Melissa Landwehr, center director, said of Bunge, “He is always willing to play a new game and get others around him involved.”
Also honored with Youth of the Year honors from the Howards Grove Center was Karlee Philipps, a seventh-grader from Howards Grove. Philipps is an active Keystone member and a person who truly cares about being involved at the club.
The Ralph F. and Alice B. Stayer Center in Sheboygan awarded the following members with their yearly honors:
Juwaun Jackson, a fifth-grade student at Longfellow Elementary School, was presented the Sportsperson of the Year Award for the Ralph F. and Alice B. Stayer Center.
“Through hard work, and dedication to improvement, Juwaun is a standout member,” commented Walter Loos, center director.
Alex Mace, a seventh-grader at Farnsworth Middle School, was presented the Youth of the Year Award honors. Mace is a fierce yet fair competitor who is always quick in assisting staff when asked.
The Sheboygan Falls Center presented Jason Bonner, a fifth-grader from Sheboygan Falls Middle School, the Sportsperson of the Year Award for the center.
Center Director Anne Kelly said, “Jason regularly shows the qualities of fair play, cooperation, teamwork and overall good sportsmanship no matter what activity he participates in.”
Autumn Scott, a fifth-grader from Sheboygan Falls Middle School, was presented the Youth of the Year Award for the Sheboygan Falls Center.
“Scott is a member who is willing to get involved in all areas of the club and can always be counted on for a quick smile and great attitude,” Kelly said.
The final center to present its award was The Club at Three-9-TEEN, the teen-only club in Sheboygan Falls.
Adina Kasimoff, a ninth-grader at Sheboygan Falls High School, was presented the Youth of the Year honor for this site second year in a row. Kasimoff is a member who attends the club regularly and is very involved. She is always willing to help out staff and try new activities.
Each year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County selects one individual as the organizational Youth of the Year. To be considered for this award, the members must be between the ages of 14-18, submit an extensive application including several essays, and be interviewed by a panel of judges.
The 2009 Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County Youth of the Year was presented to Donna Gamez of Sheboygan. Gamez represented the club in a state competition against other Youth of the Years from various organizations across Wisconsin in Madison.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County extends its congratulations to all Youth of the Months and Sportspersons of the Month, as well as the Youth of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year awards at all sites.
