Tougaloo freshman named Nation’s Youth of the Year
By
Carla Butler
Jarvis McInnis, a Tougaloo College freshman, was named the 2005-2006 National Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
McInnis was honored at a congressional breakfast in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. McInnis will also receive a $15,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation and will meet President Bush.
“I feel very blessed. I feel very humbled by the honor, and I count my blessings everday,” said McInnis, a political science major who plans to be president of the United States. “I would like to encourage Tougaloo students not to settle for the norm but to seek internships and opportunities to make them better people,” he said.
McInnis, a native of Gulfport, is a youth mentor, tutor and instructor for the youth choir at his local BGCA. The Keystone Club, which focuses on teen leadership and community service, is another key component of McInnis’ involvement with the club. He has participated in numerous community cleanups and safety initiatives.
He also teaches about the risks associated with premature sexual activity and the importance of nonviolence. McInnis is certified as a peer counselor and STD/HIV/AIDS instructor.
At Harrison Central High School, he launched a choral program and was elected student body president. He graduated with a 4.2 GPA and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame.
The Reader’s Digest Foundation awarded each state finalist a $1,000 scholarship, each regional finalist a $10,000 scholarship and the national finalist a $15,000 scholarship.
As funding sponsor of the Youth of the Year Program for 58 years the Reader’s Digest Foundation, has given an estimated $8 million to BGCA.
The Youth of the Year program recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and BGCAs academic excellence; as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947,” said Susan Russ, executive director, of the Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled that we can honor amazing teens like McInnis, for their dedication to their families, clubs and communities, and help them achieve their academic and career goals.”
Roxanne Spillet, president of BGCA agreed. “We are thankful to the Reader’s Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our Youth of the Year program and for helping Club members reach their goals.”
“Jarvis McInnis and all Youth of the Year nominees offer proof that BGCAs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people,” Spillet said.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of some 3,700 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.4 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances.
