Eight Texas Teens compete for state title, Texas Youth of the Year to be announced at luncheon Tuesday
Austin, TX -- Feb. 24, 2007

Ninety-six local Boys & Girls Club organizations throughout the state have selected eight finalists to compete for Texas Youth of the Year. This year’s finalists are from Lamesa, Lubbock, Gainesville, Dallas, Wharton, Houston, San Antonio and Edinburg. Representing San Antonio is Jon Vogt, a senior at Southwest High School.

The Youth of the Year program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.

Each finalist will speak about what the Boys & Girls Club means to them at the 7th Annual Youth of the Year Luncheon at the Hilton Austin on Tuesday, February 27th. Honorary Co-chairs include Senator Steve Ogden and Representative Dawnna Dukes. Keynote address will be offered by ex-Texas Ranger Jim Sundberg: 6-time American League Gold Glove catcher, 3-time American League All-Star and 1985 World Series Championship catcher with the Kansas City Royals. Michelle Valles, Anchor XKAN NBC Austin, is emcee. Legislators and Boys & Girls Club board members and professional staff will be in attendance.

The Texas Youth of the Year will go on to represent Texas at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Southwest Regional Competition in June. Five regional winners will then travel to Washington, D.C. to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will be installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

The Texas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs advocates for Texas Boys & Girls Clubs and leads state-wide initiatives benefiting Texas youth. There are 96 local Boys & Girls Club organizations operating 399 Club sites in more than 172 communities throughout Texas. Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.