LIHU‘E — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawai‘i are hosting the 2013 Youth of the Year scholarship competition program for juniors and seniors who are club members. Of the 12 students competing in this year’s statewide competition, six are
LIHU‘E — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawai‘i are hosting the 2013 Youth of the Year scholarship competition program for juniors and seniors who are club members.
Of the 12 students competing in this year’s statewide competition, six are from Kaua‘i.
BGCH is looking for donations for the students as they go through the competition process, as well as offset costs of the competition and for prizes.
Prior to the competition, youth undergo a two-month “boot camp,” called the Youth of the Year Academy where they learn speaking techniques, poise, how to dress for success and much more, said Forest Frizzell, a state BGCH board member, and CIO with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Frizzell is coordinating prizes for the youth.
The group is hoping to support the success of the students with items such as laptops, professional clothing, airline tickets to fly to competitions, trips to salons or barbers and anything else that might help them as they go forward in life.
The students will visit with a personal shopper from Macy’s to select outfits for the competition.
The Kaua‘i Marriott is also a partner in the competition and is helping students with interview skills.
Christian Naea, program manager with BGCH on Kaua‘i, said while the program is open to all high schoolers on Kaua‘i, the youth competing in the program have been chosen by staffers based on several criteria.
“We look at length of membership, club service, community service, moral standards and school performance,” Naea said.
The program awards $26,000 in scholarships and state winners advance to regional and national competition.
Frizzell said students complete a 3-minute interview, write two essays, submit transcripts and submit letters of recommendation.
Frizzell said there would be four overall winners in the Saturday’s competition on O‘ahu.
At the end of the competition, students can receive awards including Youth of the Year, Speech of the Year or Essay of the Year, along with ad hoc awards such as most improved and most inspirational.
Visit www.bgch.com or call 245-2210 for more information.
