2019 Mid-Year Report

A NEW GENERATION OF
CLUB ADVOCATES
I
walked into the Club five years ago just needing
a place to go after school. I assumed that all
the kids would ask what had happened to me
because I favor my right side when I walk. But,
walking around the Club
on my first day, no one
asked about my disability.
From then on, the
Club became a place
where I gained new
friends and let people
see who I am as a person.
The Club supported
me by never treating me
as though I was different, they looked at me like I
was the same as all my peers. And, through their
help, I have had opportunities to serve my community,
grown substantially through the Youth of the
Year process, and gained the skills needed to be a
staff member at my Club.
I am honored to represent the Anacortes Club and
Skagit County as Youth of the Year. The process
to become Youth of the Year was a roller-coaster.
by Kyla Whiton, 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County Youth of the Year
Youth of the Year, Kyla Whiton currently works part time at the Anacortes Club as a Youth
Development Professional. Recently graduated from Anacortes High School, she looks
forward to college and continuing to enrich Programs at the Clubs.
For me, I recognize that the young people who
need us most include youth with disabilities.
And, from my experience, I know that the
Clubs can be successful in enabling and
empowering them to reach their full potential.
With my mentor, we moved from the Anacortes
Club competition, to the county competition, and
finally competed at the state competition. With
each success, I learned new foundations of essay
writing, public speaking,
and interviewing that will
help me in my future.
While the opportunity to
compete and win scholarships
has been exciting,
my goal as Youth
of the Year has always
lined up with the mission
of the Boys & Girls Clubs:
to enable all young people, especially those who
need us most, to reach their full potential as caring,
responsible, and productive citizens. For me, I
recognize that the young people who need us most
include youth with disabilities. And, from my experience,
I know that the Clubs can be successful in
enabling and empowering them to reach their full
potential. I am currently exploring my potential as a
staff at the Clubs.
24