Tiheisha Bailey, a 2-year member of the Jackson Park Youth and Teen Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Naval Base Kitsap, military affiliate club, has been named the Youth of the Year for the state of Washington by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition to winning this prestigious title, Bailey will also receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. She is among hundreds of Youth of the Year winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “For over 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens, like Tiheisha Bailey, for their dedication to their families, Club, community, and their academic and career goals.”

As a member of a Navy family, Bailey has struggled with the instability of constantly moving from area to area throughout her childhood and teen years. Bailey finds comfort in the club that she now considers to be part of her home, and in the friends and mentors at the club that are now part of her family.

As a member of the Naval Base Kitsap Jackson Park Youth and Teen Center, Bailey is the President of the Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. She has assisted in several events held at the club, planned dances and trips to a local Retirement Home in order to get the Keystone Club more involved in activities outside the walls of the club.

Bailey is not the type of young person who settles for just getting by in school. She strives for excellence, and that is evident by the heavy workload she maintains while attending Central Kitsap High School as a Junior, as well as taking college courses at Olympic College through the Running Start program. Throughout her academic career, which has included several high schools over the years, Bailey has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Bailey’s post-high school plans are all about going to college, for which she is working on applications for many scholarships and grants. Although currently undecided about what University she will attend, her plans are to go into the Law field.

“Tiheisha and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people,” said Roxanne Spillett, president, BGCA. “We are most appreciative to the Reader’s Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our Youth of the Year program and for helping Club members attain their goals.”

This summer, Bailey will compete against other youth from states located in BGCA’s Pacific Region. If named regional winner, she will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship and advance to the national competition in Washington. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and will be installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.
  

Congratulations to the local 2008 Youth of the Year Winners!

On March 20th, 2008 Tiheisha Bailey from the Jackson Park Youth and Teen Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Naval Base Kitsap was awarded and honored with Washington State Youth of the Year at the Governors Mansion in Olympia Washington.