Royal Oak Teen Heads to Washington to Compete for 'National Youth of the Year'

Jesse Friedman, 18, of Royal Oak discovered the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Oakland County at age 9. The supportive environment of the club helped him navigate through childhood to adulthood as he faced the challenges of growing up in a home touched by addiction.


"The Boys & Girls Club means a lot to me," Friedman said. "It's been like a second home. I can't imagine what my life would be like without it."

It's because of that second home that Friedman will have the opportunity to go to yet another special home next week — the White House.
 
Friedman is one of six outstanding teens from across the nation to rise through 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.

"If President Obama is available, we will be able to meet with him in the Oval Office," Friedman said excitedly.

Other activities on Friedman's Washington agenda include meetings with Michgian senators and representatives, a dinner with celebrity Club alumni, including Denzel Washington, Misty Copeland and Shaun White, and a presentation to an esteemed judging panel. 

"It's going to be insane," he said. "I am so excited and looking forward to it."

Of his presentation to the judges, he said, "I am just going to be myself. That's what I have done all along and it has gotten me this far."

Friedman, who strongly believes in community service, organized food drives, participated in national disaster relief projects and served 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 is currently attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he admits he is blown away by homework.

"It's been an adjustment, but I embrace it," he said. "I love it here."