By Okon Ekpenyong

Samarion Newell, of Sandusky (Northeast Ohio), won the 2023 Boys & Girls Ohio Alliance Youth of the Year award and will compete in the regional competition in Chicago. Ohio Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, was the event’s keynote speaker, and his wife, second lady Tina was one of the judges.

Newell is also receiving a $20,000 scholarship and plans on pursuing a career in finance. His idol is his mother, Melissa Swain. “Children need a support system that believes in them and wants to see them do great things and be successful in life,” Newell said. He credits his mother and the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio for paving the way. 

The event was at the Downtown Columbus Athletic Club; Toyota and Mondelez International sponsored the Boys & Girls Clubs Ohio Alliance Youth of the Year award. Eight individuals were nominated by various clubs from across the State and vying to represent Ohio as the National Youth of the Year.

The other nominees were Ta’Teyana C of Greater Cincinnati, Shonn ST of Central Ohio, Forest M of West Chester/Liberty, Ja’Mychael J of Dayton, Ashley C of Toledo, Julian SC of Wright Patt Air Force Praries Youth Center, and Nyla B of Massillon. The contestants worked with their mentors for guidance and support to prepare for their big speech before the judges.

“From the moment he greeted us with a handshake, his resume, and his business card, we knew he was ready to blow us away. He is an amazing young man who, through adversity, has become a well-rounded student and an impactful and visionary leader – with goals to give back to his community once he achieves his college degree”, Charmaine Davis-Bey, who was one of the Judges, said.

Charmaine Davis-Bey, who works for the Ohio Department of Education, also stated, “Thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country teens participate in local state and regional Youth of the Year events each year, and sixteen advances to the National Youth of the Year. Also, this national teen spokesperson is a role model, leader, and advocate for the millions of youth clubs serve each year and all of America’s young people”.

As the keynote speaker, Husted shared encouraging words with contestants, staff, and other guests. The featured speaker was Asha H R, the 2020 winner, and Tina Husted, Second Lady, announced the winner.

Since 1947, winners have been members of clubs that exhibit leadership service, academic excellence, and a healthy lifestyle. Across Ohio, the Ohio Alliance chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs has 67 sites in 26 cities and serves over 44000 youth and their families annually. Additionally, over one million meals and snacks are provided to children without charge each year.

The organization’s website indicates that one out of five high school students will not graduate, juvenile crime escalates from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and three out of ten children are obese or overweight. Also, one out of five children lives in poverty. Due to the staggering number, the clubs invest 176 million dollars annually to combat some of these concerns facing adolescents. Over 57% of professional athletes and other professionals have credited Boys & Girls of America with saving their lives.

* 73% of low-income Club members ages 12 to 17 who attend the Club regularly report mainly receiving As and Bs, compared to 69% of their peers.

* 12th-grade Club members are more than twice as likely to express an interest in a STEM career as 12th graders nationally (56% of 12th-grade Club members vs. 25% of 12th graders nationally)

(Picture Credit: Jon Husted’s office Charmaine Davis-Bey and State Rep Willis E Blackshear)

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