The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County honored Alisha Quinones, Chris Kaimmer and Collin Provence at its Youth of the Year Banquet on Feb. 17. About 300 community and business leaders, friends and family members gathered for the festitivies at Benaroya Hall.
"It's our Super Bowl - less the wardrobe malfunction," said Daniel Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.
The three were among 12 from throughout King County competing for the 2005 King County Youth of the Year distinction. Honorees were recognized for their scholastics, moral character, life goals and service to family and community.
Each honoree shared his or her story following the judging at the awards luncheon.
"It's a celebration more than a competition," said TV reporter Margo Myers, who emceed the event. "Each [teenager] has a truly unique and amazing story."
All honorees received an awards package, including a $500 education scholarship, a Bon-Macy's business outfit, a Nintendo Gamecube, free tickets to an upcoming Sonics game, a family play experience at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, a family membership to Seattle Art Museum and passes to the Pacific Science Center.
Quinones also was selected to receive an additional $500 scholarship.
The King County Youth of the Year winner, Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club's Brian Byersdorf, received an additional $2,000 scholarship. He advances to the state competition, with opportunities to compete at the regional and national level.
President Bush will recognize the winner of the national competition in an Oval Office ceremony later this year.
Chris Kaimmer
A member of the Ballard club, Chris Kaimmer, also a graduating senior, was recognized for his scholastic achievement. He spoke about how the Boys & Girls Club started to mean something to him when he was given the chance to volunteer.
Kaimmer has been a member of the club for seven years.
"Service to the club is not about how many hours you work," he said. "It's not about how many fights you break up, or books you read aloud, or how many times you have to explain why zero times zero is still zero. It's about something much more important.
"It's about that one kid who, at the end of the day, goes away feeling better than when they arrived there. And that's really what it's about. That's what this place means to me," he continued. "It means helping people one homework assignment at a time, one game of Foosball at a time, one life at a time."
Alisha Quinones
Representing the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club, Alisha Quinones spoke about being the daughter of a single, teenage mother and how the club changed her life.
"It's difficult for me to put into words the paths that I have taken in life to become the person I am today," she said. "I am a proud, positive, goal-driven individual who is determined to make the best out of everything that life dishes out. In life, I have learned that obstacles are simply challenges that are necessary to overcome if I want to achieve anything.
"That being said," she continued, "I'm sometimes amazed that I have overcome the same challenges that both my parents were consumed by."
Although she grew up in a dysfunctional home, Quinones rose above it and is now a tutor, a drill-team captain and a regular volunteer at the Greenwood Food Bank.
"My life has never been and will never be the same," she said. "I thank God for the Boys & Girls Club. Thank you for bringing me this far."
Quinones has been a member of the club for two years. In June, she will be the first person in her immediate family to graduate from high school.
Collin Provence
Collin Provence, a member of the Wallingford club for 12 years, is also a graduating senior, a pianist for the Roosevelt High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble, a dedicated gymnast and an aspiring biologist.
"When I attended elementary school, the club was important because it offered a place to have fun and to grow," Provence said.
"As a counselor, I realize that the club has a lot more to offer, not only to the kids, but also to the staff," he continued. "In fact, some days I feel like I'm learning more from my kids than they are from me."
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