Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio Youth of the Year Takes South Texas Regional Honors
San Antonio -- Feb. 16, 2007

The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio's Youth of the Year Jon Vogt was named Youth of the Year for South Texas on February 3 in Edinburg. Vogt now advances to the state competition, which will be held in Austin on Feb. 26-27. There, he will compete for the Texas Youth of the Year honor and a $1,000 scholarship. If Vogt wins at the state level, then he will go on to compete for the title of Southwest Youth of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship.

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. This program was founded 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader's Digest Foundation.

Vogt, age 17, will graduate in May of this year from Southwest High School. He will attend Texas Tech University in the fall, where he will major in Pre-Law.

Through the Boys & Girls Clubs, Vogt is actively involved with numerous community activities, including mentoring other youth, feeding the homeless and graffiti clean-ups. In school, he has participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including Student Council, the Criminal Justice Club, Track and the UIL Speech Team. He has consistently ranked in the top 10 percent of his class.

"Jon has demonstrated tremendous leadership and service to others in all areas of his life," said Jim Watson, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. "Through his academic achievement, community service and desire to help others, Jon truly is a role model for other young people."
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 & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serve more than 6,000 members annually at five branch locations. The Clubs provide after school and summer programs that develop talents, values and skills in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those who need these services most. 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 & Girls Clubs of San Antonio website at: www.bgcsatx.org.