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Pictured (L-R): Colin Hanlon, Keone Ball,
Youth of the Year Zachary Jarman, and Rick Freedman |
On Saturday, February 6, 2010, Zachary Jarman, a 17 year old member of the Upcountry Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, was named the 2010 Gene Freedman Memorial Youth of the Year.
Zachary, an eight-year member of the Club, was among four of the organization’s top teens vying for the title. The other three Youth of the Year were Tehani Kaina - West Maui Club, Raeann Mukini - Central Club, and Caitlan Drury - Haiku Club. All four teens were selected by their peers and staff to represent their respective clubs in this year’s local premier youth leadership competition.
Jarman, a junior at King Kekaulike High School, gave a presentation talking about what the Club has done for him. Jarman plans to attend Arizona State University and work toward a career in the medical or engineering fields. Jarman and the other three contestants had the opportunity to answer interview questions asked by the panel of judges consisting of Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui supporters. The five judges included lead judge, Rick Freedman, chief strategy officer for Starlite Originals and board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, WA; Ryan Ouye, general manager, Service Rentals and Supplies, Inc.; Wendy Peterson, real estate agent, Island Sotheby’s International Realty; Maizie Sanford, Maui News; and Joycelyn Victorino, division secretary, ILWU Local 142, wife of Councilman Michael Victorino and mother of Michael Jr. and Shane Victorino.
“All four candidates were outstanding, making the judges’ decision a tough one, but we felt that Zachary Jarman had exemplified what members of the Boys & Girls Clubs can accomplish. He helped himself out of a difficult situation at a young age. He’s focused on his goals and has been well supported by staff and friends at his Club,” according to Mazie Sanford.
“Zachary represents how a young person with drive and determination can achieve their goals with the support of a quality youth development program,” says Colin Hanlon, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui.
Next month, Jarman will competing for the State of Hawaii Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from Reader’s Digest. This year’s State event is sponsored by the Hawaii Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and is scheduled for March 18th at the State Capitol in Honolulu. If Jarman wins at the state level, he will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2010 to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
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, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
Over four thousand youth are served annually at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui. Youth ages six through seventeen attend the Clubs every day after school and during school breaks. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui or the Youth of the Year program, please visit our website at www.bgcmaui.org, or call (808) 242-4363.
