Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri was well-represented during the State Youth of the Year competition, held April 4-5 in Jefferson City.

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri was well represented during the State Youth of the Year event in April. From left, Area Manager Jessica Hazel, Teen Youth of the Year winner Jake Rogers, Site Manager Tara Walker, Director of Operations Tyler Hudson and Executive Director Gary Beckman. Front are Junior Youth of the Year winner Olivia Harrison and Elementary Youth of the Year winner Gabby Buretz.

Cole Camp Site member Jake Rogers competed against several other Boys & Girls Club members from across the state to be named the Missouri State winner. Rogers has been a member of BGCWCM for several years and is also a junior staff member who creates and runs his own programs at his site.

“Jake is an outstanding youth man who has really gown and thrived in the Boys & Girls Club program,” said Director of Operations Tyler Hudson. “We were honored to have him represent our organization at the State Youth of the Year event.”

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs’ premier youth recognition program which recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This is the third time Rogers has represented BGCWCM at the state level.

“While Jake wasn’t named the state winner, he put a lot of time, effort and hard work into his speech this year and it showed,” Hudson said. “We are immensely proud of him and know that he has a bright future ahead of him.”