Roark honored as Youth of the Year by Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri

A Green Ridge High School student’s compelling speech earned her top honors at the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s 2010 Youth of the Year event.

According to a Boys and Girls Club news release, Youth of the Year is the highest honor a club member can receive and 14-year-old Alexis Roark walked away with the honor at the awards event held Jan. 28 at the Fox Theater. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to a club member’s family, school, community and Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri.

Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri Executive Director Brett Barth-Fagan said the nominees for the award were chosen from members who received Youth of the Month awards throughout the year. The members were chosen by staff based on numerous things including grade improvement or social skills development.

“There is a real range of things club members can do to get the award,” Barth-Fagan said. “They just have to show outstanding effort or improvement on a talent.”

The night of the event, nominees gave a speech on what the Boys and Girls Club had done for them. Barth-Fagan said  having the students prepare a speech teaches them leadership and hones their public speaking skills.

Judges for the event were Sedalia School District 200 teacher Chad Harter, attorney Shawn Pilliard and interim City Administrator Brian Koral.

Barth-Fagan said Roark did a “marvelous job” on her speech, which touched on tough times she had before joining the club.

“She relied on the club as an anchor point,” Barth-Fagan said.

Roark will now move on to compete for the Missouri Youth of the Year title in April in Jefferson City. Roark also is able to apply and compete for a full four-year scholarship to Marquette University. If Roark wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington D.C. in September to compete for the title of national Youth of the Year. The winner at the national contest will be awarded an additional $15,000 scholarship and will be installed by the president in an Oval Office ceremony.

“The winners get to travel abroad and meet cool people,” Barth-Fagan said.

Stephanie Trevino from La Monte High School took home second place and Leslie Neas from Cole Camp won third place.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri also awarded an Elementary Youth of the Year prize at the ceremony.

Skyline Elementary student Alex Esquivel was chosen for the honor.

Barth-Fagan said although Esquivel isn’t old enough to compete at the state level, the club believes it is important to encourage and honor all youth for their achievements.

Barth-Fagan said Esquivel’s speech was fantastic.

“Alex is very articulate,” Barth-Fagan said. “He has potential to win at a higher level.”

Erika Tackett from the club’s Horace Mann Elementary site took second place and Washington Elementary School student Hunter Gilliam won third place.

“This is an amazing program,” Barth-Fagan said. “Doors are opened that wouldn’t be otherwise for the students who win these awards.”

'Heart and Hope' event happening Friday

The Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri is hosting the annual auction “An Evening of Heart and Hope” at 6 p.m. Friday in the Missouri Cooperatives Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. The 2010 Pink Flamingo award will be given out at the event.

Tickets for an Evening of Heart and Hope are $35 at the door. Event attendees will have the opportunity to win a car, two Harley Davidson motorcycles or $50,000. Other prizes include a half-side of homegrown beef or an iPod Touch. Silent and live auction items include vacations, artwork and one-of-a-kind experiences. A list of auction items is available at the club’s Web site at www.bgckids.com.