Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio Names Youth of the Year
San Antonio -- February 3, 2006

The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio named Amber Jefferson its 2006 Youth of the Year on Thursday, Jan. 26. Jefferson, age 17, will graduate in May of this year from East Central High School.

In addition to serving as a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, Redeeming Grace branch, Amber is active with the Girl Scouts, ROTC and Top Teens of America. At East Central High, she serves as a student athletic trainer and a Peer Assistant Leader, and is involved with the National Beta Club.

"Amber has demonstrated tremendous leadership and service to others in all areas of her life," said Jim Watson, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio. "Through her academic achievement, community service and desire to help others, Amber truly is a role model for other young people."

The other finalists in the Youth of the Year competition are: Alicia Gibson, age 15, sophomore, Sam Houston High School; Louis "Chris" Martinez, age 18, senior, Kennedy High School; and Brittany Reed, age 15, junior, Family Faith Academy.

Judges for the competition were; Janie Martinez Gonzalez, CEO and president of Web Head Group; Joe Granados, program coordinator, American Sunrise; Clifton Walker, office coordinator for U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar; and Blithe Wiley, principal, Blithe Wiley Communications.

Each year, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio select a Youth of the Year, based on criteria that include scholastic achievement, community service and leadership skills. Winners advance to state and regional competitions. In the fall, five regional Youth of the Year winners travel to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national title. While in the nation’s capital, finalists visit the President at the White House and are honored at a Congressional Breakfast.

The national winner serves for one year as a role model and spokesperson for all Boys & Girls Club members, and receives a $15,000 scholarship from The Reader’s Digest Association, sponsor of the program since its inception in 1947. In 2004, Danielle Snead, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio Youth of the Year became one of the five national finalists.

Founded in 1939, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio serve more than 6,000 members annually at five branch locations. The Clubs provide after school and summer program services that develop talents, values and skills in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those most disadvantaged. As a result of the Clubs programs, young people are inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For more information, visit the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio website at: www.bgcsatx.org.