James Farrell Named Boys & Girls Club of Troy Youth of the Year
March 22, 2016
Troy Athens High School freshman James Farrell was selected as the 2016 Boys & Girls Club of Troy Youth of the Year. James will now compete against members of other Boys & Girls Clubs in the state for the Michigan Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship courtesy of program sponsors which include Disney, University of Phoenix, Toyota, and Taco Bell.
As the 2016 Youth of the Year honoree for the Boys & Girls Club of Troy, the 14-year old is among hundreds of teens across the country being recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA) for sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year
is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The program encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.
“James is an outstanding young man. I’m amazed by not only how many activities he is involved with, but how successful he is in each of them,” said Boys & Girls Club of Troy CEO Jeff Evans. “His talent, personality and work ethic make him a well-deserved representative of the Boys & Girls Club of Troy and the local community.”
"It is an honor to represent the Boys & Girls Club of Troy as the 2016 Youth of the Year,” said James. “I will make certain that my voice is heard and I elucidate pride and respect for my Club. I will also make sure that everyone knows how amazing it is to be a part of a great environment, the Boys & Girls Club of Troy.”
James has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for six years. He is the Treasurer of the Keystone Club and has volunteered for the Taste of Troy annual fundraiser. He participates in the Club’s basketball and football leagues, running club, and the Vehicle City Challenge team. James is a past winner of the Power Hour Student of the Month for the most homework points, and also Youth of the Month for outstanding behavior and contributions to the Club.
Outside of the Club, James is involved in the Business Professionals of America group at his high school, as well as math club, track and field (qualified for Junior Olympics), and violin (first division rating for solo ensemble). James served as a youth pastor of the day for his church and in eighth grade completed a course called “Smarter not Harder” which is typically designed for juniors and seniors in high school.
Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in local, state and regional Youth of the Year
events. Six teens, including five regional winners and a national military youth winner, advance to Washington, D.C., for the National Youth of the Year Gala & Celebration Dinner, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson. The National Youth of the Year is a role model, leader and advocate for the nearly four million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year, and all of America’s young people.
About Boys & Girls Club of Troy:
The Boys & Girls Club of Troy, located at 3670 John R Road, is a non-profit youth development organization that provides educational and recreational activities, in addition to mentoring programs, to more than 1,200 children, aged six to 18, in the tri-county area of metropolitan Detroit. For nearly four decades, the Club's positive environment has enabled members to become responsible, self-reliant, and caring adults.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve nearly 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach.