Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced its Midwest Youth of the Year today at a dinner at the Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois. Jesse Friedman, 18, from Royal Oak is one of six outstanding teens from across the nation to rise through the local, state and regional levels to make it to Washington, D.C., to compete for the honor of serving as Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Youth of the Year.
As Midwest Youth of the Year, Friedman received more than $10,000 to attend college. Tupperware Brands Corporation is the sole sponsor for the National Youth of the Year program.
On a local level, Friedman received $3,000 in scholarship funds when he was named Michigan Youth of the Year early this year.
Friedman, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, was among twenty other Youth of the Year candidates representing states from across the Midwest who spoke on the topic of what their Boys & Girls Club means to them. At the awards event, Tupperware Chairman and CEO Rick Goings noted the impressive field of candidates and his deep support for the Boys & Girls Club.
"Every one of these Youth of the Year candidates will be attending college. In a country where graduation rates are far too low, Clubs are working every day to change that in their local communities. These young men and women are the hope for a brighter future."
Friedman joined the Club's Royal Oak location at age 9 and credits the Club with providing him with numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills, a passion for community service and a supportive environment to navigate the challenges he faced growing up in a home touched by addiction.
Friedman who strongly believes in community service recently finished his term as President of the Donald M. Reid Keystone Club, a leadership and service group for teens. He also organized food drives, participated in national disaster relief projects and serves as a Junior Staff for the Boys & Girls Club.
This past spring, Friedman graduated from Royal Oak High School with a 3.8 GPA. Friedman will attend the University of Michigan this coming fall.
Source: Boys & Girls Clubs of South Oakland County
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